national team players not to play soccer several weeks ago it was not really an order.

In recent weeks we have seen at least four players involved in competitive soccer and the trend has continued since the ICC Trophy squad was picked, picked again, and picked yet again.

Ricky Hill's broken rib, sustained during a 1-0 loss for North Village against Vasco on Sunday, should trigger the warning bells.

As talented a player as Hill is, he admitted that the injury he suffered could have happened to anyone. Which means that Lionel Cann, Del Hollis, Dean Minors, Olin Jones and Cricketer of the Year Clay Smith, who we are led to believe is planning a soccer return, are all eligible.

The BCBC has to feel that it dodged a bullet as opening batsman Hill's injury should not hinder his availability for Kenya but it needs to step in and put its foot down -- and now because it will be seen as the scapegoat if a soccer injury rules out any of its players.

It would be so easy to blame the BCBC but in this case the governing body of cricket in the Island would have co-defendants -- the players who choose to play soccer.

Common sense must prevail.

The BCBC selectors have chosen our best players for the ICC tournament and if they are indeed our best players, we must not be forced into a situation whereby we have to go into competition with anything less.

With the exception of Hill, who should know better, the other two-sport stars are on the young side.

There should be a simple message to these young players: `Why risk a chance to represent Bermuda in the ICC Trophy in Africa and the World Cup in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka for a cheap thrill.' By comparison, that is all their involvement in domestic soccer would amount to as these players would only be available to their clubs until mid-January.

The crucial stage of the season comes afterward.

The choice should be obvious. We are truly surprised that it has come to this.

Hill's broken rib was the third fracture of this early soccer season. We had a broken leg in Week One and a broken arm in Week Two.

And guess what? The common denominator is that they are all cricketers -- Hill, Brian Gibbons (leg) of Somerset Eagles and Somerset Bridge, and Donovan Livingston (arm) of Vasco and Police.

It would be foolish to suggest our national team cricketers are immune from such injuries, especially considering the roles that some play on the soccer field.

Ricky Hill, striker; Lionel Cann, striker; Clay Smith, striker; Dean Minors, striker; Olin Jones, midfielder.

These are all people who would play pivotal roles on their soccer teams. They will be closely watched and opposing defenders will not be thinking country first if one of these forwards threatens their goal.

All of the aforementioned have also had their share of injury brought on by soccer.

Hill broke his wrist playing for Hotels last season, Cann (hernia) and Minors (knee) both required surgery, Smith was sidelined with a shoulder injury and Jones sat out two seasons with knee problems.

Of the aforementioned, Jones opened the season with Southampton Rangers then was not selected for the ICC squad, while Minors is upset with being chosen as a stand-by and last weekend turned out with St. George's Colts for the first time.

Hill played and scored for Village in the Futuro Cup last Thursday while Cann, who exactly a month ago said a recurring hamstring injury would keep him out of cricket training for a month, has already made two appearances for St.

David's.

Hollis, also of St. David's and the only one to avoid the injury bug, has played since the league season began on October 3.

If these players are incapable of making the logical decision, then the onus falls on the BCBC to make it for them.

A training programme needs to be strictly enforced, which can only help the squad as they prepare for what is expected to be a very competitive tournament in Kenya.

Thankfully, First Division soccer takes a break this weekend because of the FA Cup elimination round, which involves Second and Commercial Division teams.

This gives the BCBC enough time to get the national squad together and officially lay down the law.