Pitcher rules out St. David’s comeback
Former St David’s cricketer Arthur Pitcher has emphatically denied that he his making a return to the game, saying: “It doesn’t appeal to me anymore.”Pitcher has been out of the sport for the past two years but was spotted at a training session at Lords recently, something which sparked a flurry of rumours that he would make a surprise comeback.However, ther Cup Match star, has insisted that he has no intention of playing regularly and said if he did it would only be on Saturdays.“It kind of annoyed me when I heard the news (that I was making a comeback),” he said. “My mum told me that people were saying I was playing cricket again. And I was saying to myself, ‘well, nobody has come to me and asked me’. Don’t just assume because you’ve seen me going cricket training, come and ask me what my plan is. That’s Bermuda for you.“I was just keeping myself in shape so that on the odd occasion that I might be needed, I’ll be able to play. Last week, Tuesday night, I was down there, I told them that if I do play, it’ll only be on Saturdays. Sundays are definitely out of the picture.”Pitcher’s insistence that he will only play on Saturday led some to wonder if he might be a part of St David’s Eastern Counties team this year. However, the bowler has also poured cold water on that idea, believing his inclusion in the side would be unfair on those ‘trying their hardest to make the team’.“If I was to play Eastern Counties I think it would be unfair to those who have been trying their hardest to make the team,” he said.“And to be honest, Eastern County and Cup Match, those teams are picked off your performance through the whole season.“And if I was to just show up and be able to make the team just like that it would be very discouraging for the next person who really wants to get in there. And they probably won’t play anymore, or go somewhere else to play and will say ‘forget St David’s’, you know.”Bermuda head coach David Moore also approached Pitcher about possibly playing in the new Elite Player League. The pair had a long conversation during last Saturday’s Belco Cup semi-final between Southampton Rangers and Willow Cuts at Lords.However, while Pitcher said he was keeping an open mind about taking part, he said no longer had the love and enthusiasm for the game that he once did.“He (Moore) mentioned it to me, and it’s still in the back of my mind,” said Pitcher. “But, it (cricket) doesn’t appeal to me anymore, to be honest.”