Mercurial slugger Lionel Cann underwent groin surgery late last week and has now been ruled out for Southampton Rangers? Premier Knockout Final against Flatts this weekend.

The hard-hitting lower order batsman - who banged his way into the Bermuda record books with a whirlwind knock of 139 runs off 68 balls against Argentina in Toronto last month - went under the knife last Thursday to have scarred tissue removed from his groin before being released later the same day.

And while Cann is certain to miss Rangers? season-ending clash with Flatts at the National Sports Centre (NSC), the veteran cricketer remains optimistic over his chances of recovering in time for Bermuda?s upcoming tour to Kenya and South Africa in November.

Doctors reckon 33-year-old Cann will be fully recovered in six weeks? time.

?It still feels a bit painful . . . but it is coming along and I am able to walk about. And I?ve been instructed to do 20 minutes of walking per day for the first week and then slight jogging for the second week,? Cann explained.

?It?s a process and after a four weeks I will probably be able to get in some net practice. So time is still on my side and that?s why it was best to have the surgery done while we (Bermuda national cricket team) are home for the next six to eight weeks.

?All of these things were taken into consideration before the surgery was done.?

Cann was referred to a specialists by national cricket team physio Craig Brown. He had been plagued by the injury throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, the St.George?s Cup Match skipper was forced to do away with tradition during the champions? victory parade in the East End last Friday night.

In his first year as captain of St.George?s, Cann led the East Enders to a convincing seven-wicket win over Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club early last month.

However, during the East Enders? victory parade his injury prevented him from saddling the ceremonial horse, traditionally reserved for the winning captain.

That honour instead went to veteran batsman Charlie Marshall.

Cann said he was looking forward to the occasion, but insisted last month?s victory more than compensated for the missed opportunity.

?It was a big miss. But victory itself had long been accomplished and to me that was bigger than the celebration,? he added.

?It (victory celebration) was pretty exciting and I also had a good laugh. But I am just happy the good Lord blessed me enough to be able to attend the prize presentation.?

During the well-attended awards ceremony, Cann thanked club officials and team-mates before dedicating the memorable win to grandparents Lionel and Constance Mello.

?When I was growing up they always used to tell me that I would be a leader in Cup Match,? recalled Cann, who is returning to his roots at St.David?s next year. ?But they never told me I would one day win it.

?And so this one (victory) is for them and hopefully next year we can achieve a hat-trick of Cup Match victories over Somerset right here at Wellington Oval.?

Between 1911 and 1913 St.George?s became the first Cup Match club to win the coveted showpiece three years in succession.

The East Enders were also the last to achieve the feat between 1967 and 1969.