Veteran cricketer Charlie Marshall has returned as captain of St. George's Cricket Club.

The east enders made the decision at a special meeting on Thursday night, bringing back last year's captain to replace ailing skipper Graham Fox who has been fighting to overcome a knee injury for several weeks.

However the surprise in the move is that Marshall leapfrogs into the leading position ahead of vice-captain Herbie Bascome who has been acting skipper in Fox's absence.

St. George's president Neil Paynter confirmed the move yesterday, but refused to answer any related questions about whether or not Bascome was overlooked or that the club simply preferred to have the more experienced Marshall lead the team. Marshall was replaced as captain by Fox at the start of this season.

"Yes, Charlie has been appointed skipper of our team. I would leave it at that," said Paynter.

He offered no further information when pressed to confirm that the player would be named skipper of the Cup Match team as well. Traditionally the league skipper, who also becomes a selector, goes on to lead the club in the mid-summer classic.

Earlier this year Marshall was also recalled by the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control as a late replacement to captain the Bermuda senior national team during the America's Cup regional tournament in Argentina.

He was brought back into the squad when the Board found it difficult to find a capable captain for the tournament.

Bringing back Marshall was looked at being somewhat of a desperate move by the Board who actually left him out of the original squad because they were aiming to build a younger team. But several players pulled out of the tour for various reasons, leaving the Board desperate to find players willing to represent their country.

The naming of Marshall to the St. George's post comes at a crucial time for the east enders who are fourth in the Premier Division and looking to qualify for the Camel Cup next season which involves the top four teams.