Cup Match hopeful Justin Pitcher is now in a race against the clock to regain match fitness ahead of this year's mid-summer classic at Wellington Oval.

The St.David's Islander suffered a side strain while bowling in a June 27 Premier Division limited overs match against Southampton Rangers at Lords and has been advised by his physio not to take any further part in the sport until he makes a full recovery.

The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) High Performance Player has come on in leaps and bounds with both bat and ball this season and, providing he makes a full recovery before the final Cup Match trial on July 25, stands a strong chance of being named in champions St.George's' squad that will try and defend the cup on home soil against old rivals Somerset July 30 and 31.

Pitcher, 22, was a reserve for St.George's in last year's classic but his involvement in a Somerset Cup Match trial earlier this season sparked rumours suggesting he had switched allegiances.

However, that speculation has been seemingly put to rest with the promising all-rounder said to be keen to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Arthur Pitcher jr, who made three Cup Match appearances for St.George's before retiring following last year's classic in the West End to devote more time to competitive cycling.

"Justin is definitely a player we are very keen on having a good look at.

"He has always been in our plans and it just might be his time this year," said St.George's chairman of selectors Lewis Foggo in a recent interview with The Royal Gazette. Foggo could not be reached yesterday to comment on Pitcher's current health status.

St.George's held their first Cup Match trial at Wellington Oval last Saturday which did not go off as smoothly as planned as opening bat Oronde Bascome was struck in the head by a Delyone Borden delivery that ricocheted off his bat and was eventually taken to hospital for observations as a precautionary measure.

The son of assistant national coach Herbie Bascome is currently off Island attending to personal matters but is expected to return ahead of St.George's' final trial match when he will attempt to reclaim his spot after missing last year's match due to Bermuda's involvement in Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in Ireland.

Earlier this week it was revealed that two-time Cup Match MVP, OJ Pitcher, could miss this year's classic through academic commitments abroad while teenaged leg spinner Tre Govia has been ruled out through shoulder injury. On a more positive note for the champions, star batsman Glenn Blakeney appears to have made a full recovery from a nagging shoulder injury while paceman George O'Brien jr took part in last weekend's trial at Wellington Oval.

O'Brien injured his knee during April's ICC World Cup qualifiers in South Africa and has yet to suit up for club side Police this season.

"George has been one of the better opening bowlers in the Island and if he is fit and ready he will definitely be looked at," Foggo added.

However O'Brien, who has been playing for St David's in the Commercial League this season, managed just seven overs on Sunday.

The fast bowler was wicketless and had conceded 49 runs when he pulled up with an apparent recurrence of the knee injury that hampered him during the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

Such was the extent of injury that O'Brien was unable to bat for St David's during their 241-run defeat at the hands of Jamaican Association.