The absence of several top players currently representing Bermuda at the Intercontinental Cup in Toronto might take some of the gloss off today?s Eastern Counties cup final at Lord?s. But with key guest players on both sides, holders Bailey?s Bay and St. David?s will each fancy their chances of victory.

Even without national team skipper Clay Smith, wicketkeeper/batsman Dean Minors and prolific run scorer Chris Foggo, the challengers boast a formidable line-up.

OJ Pitcher, Delyone Borden and Lionel Cann, three members of last month?s successful ICC Trophy squad in Ireland who declined the invitation to play in Toronto this week, will almost certainly be key figures as St. David?s attempt to wrest the trophy from their neighbours.

And with pace pair George O?Brien and Stefan Kelly among their ranks, the Islanders might be considered as slight favourites.

However, Bay, even without hard-hitting bat Irving Romaine, another of those playing in Canada, won?t be any pushover with guest players Charlie Marshall and Glenn Blakeney both capable of match-winning performances.

Veteran Marshall has proved one of the most consistent run scorers this season and Blakeney?s blazing bat will need no introduction to the St. David?s attack.

The match is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.: S.Robinson (captain), L.Cann, OJ Pitcher, D.Borden, F.Crockwell, C.Douglas (colt), O.Bascome (colt). D.Hollis, G.O?Brien jr, A.Pitcher jr, S.Kelly.: J.Outerbridge (captain), J.Warner, S.Outerbridge, C.Hill, G.Blakeney, C.Marshall, J.West, D.Trott, D.Pilgrim, C.Dill jr, R.Masters.

l Confusion over this season?s Central Counties Cup has finally been resolved with the committee agreeing that both the semi-finals and final will be played over a single weekend next month.

Following a meeting of all clubs in the competition, it has been agreed that Police will take on Young Men?s Social Club at Police Field and Western Stars will host Devonshire Recreation Club at St. John?s Field on Saturday, September 10.

The two winners of those matches will meet in the Central Counties final at Police Field the following day.

Cricket could be making a comeback in the Commonwealth Games, paving the way for Bermuda to enter a team in the 2010 Games in New Delhi, India.

The sport was included at the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur but wasn?t contested at Manchester in 2002 and won?t be a part of the festivities in Melbourne, Australia next March.

However, chief executive of the International Cricket Council Malcolm Speed hinted at a press conference this week that an application for readmission to the Games, using the popular twenty20 format, was being considered.

?The chief executives of cricket-playing countries will make their recommendations to the ICC executive board which will meet in Sydney soon after the Johnny Walker Super Series in October. The discussions will include the format of the game ? 50-over-a-side or twenty20 ? and other cricket related issues,? said Speed. ?It?s too early to say at this stage whether cricket will be part of the New Delhi Games or not. It will all depend on how the meeting progresses.

?On a wide spectrum, twenty20 games have generated a huge response in England and South Africa in particular, though the format has proved to be equally successful on the provincial level in many other countries.?