Bailey's Bay all rounder Corey Hill perhaps took a huge load off of Somerset's Cup Match selectors.

After being served with a five match suspension for bringing the game into disrepute during Bay's May 26 league encounter against Southampton at Southampton Oval, on appeal, a special Bermuda Cricket Board of Control disciplinary panel have apparently had a change of heart, reducing Hill's suspension to three matches.

He was originally charged for entering the pitch to question umpire Steven West's decision to adjudge Jermaine Warner run out instead of Rodney Trott after the pair both ended up at one end of the crease.

Having already served two of the imposed three match ban, Hill is now eligible to fight for his Cup Match spot during Somerset's final trial match on July 27.

Somerset's selectors are now just faced with the daunting task of finding a replacement for the injured Richard Basden and sources close to the club have hinted that either league player Sheridan Ming or St.David's' skipper Sammy Robinson may get the nudge.

Robinson hasn't been a part of Somerset's plans since his memorable debut in 1998 when he scored a brisk 63 during the west enders first innings and then followed up with an unbeaten 27 in the second.

But although Hill says he's relieved that the incident is now behind him, he still believes that Warner was also given too harsh a punishment.

"I thought that I was helping the situation but in their eyes they thought that I was making the situation worse," said Hill.

"It still baffles me up until today but I am just thankful to have the opportunity to try and regain my (Cup Match) spot.

"Cup Match is one of the biggest highlights of most local cricketers careers and I am just grateful that I have another chance to perform on that day.

"But I am still a little disappointed with the amount of time that Jermaine got.

"He is one of our senior batsman at the moment and everybody knows that we are struggling down at Bay and I am just feeling for him right now."

Efforts to obtain comment from BCBC officials were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, it is also understood that St.George's' wicketkeeper Sinclair Gibbons had his appeal heard before the special panel yesterday, however, the Royal Gazette have yet to receive news of any possible new developments.

Gibbons received a hefty ban for his part during a brief scuffle with St.David's Phillip (Billy Joe) Pitcher at Wellington Oval on May 26.

Pitcher escaped with a two match ban, while Gibbons was banned for one year.

Pitcher, though, also served out a two match ban that was imposed on him by his club.