Canadian skipper John Davison, scorer of the fastest century in World Cup history, will not take part in his team?s opening ICC Intercontinental Cup clash against Bermuda at Toronto Cricket and Skating Club next week in Ontario.

It was confirmed yesterday that Davison had suffered a broken finger and, as such, been forced onto the sidelines.

Former Sri Lankan Test player, Pubudu Dassanayake, will now lead Canada in his skipper?s absence.

?John informed us that he broke his finger. I really don?t know which hand it was or the extent of the injury because he didn?t speak to me. And the only detail I can give you is that he (Davison) broke a finger and will not be available to play,? chairman of selectors for Canada?s senior national team Austin Ward told yesterday

Davison was elevated to instant international stardom at the 2003 World Cup Finals in South Africa after scoring the fastest ever ton (111) off 67 balls at Centurion Park playing against the West Indies under current Bermuda coach Gus Logie.

The Canadian captain also scored 75 off 25 balls against New Zealand ? the third fastest half-century scored in World Cup history.

During last summer?s inaugural ICC Intercontinental Cup match against USA, Davison returned match figures of 17 for 137 ? the best first-class bowling performance since late England off-spinner Jim Laker?s 19-wicket haul against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956.

Ward added: ?To lose a player of Davison?s calibre is always going to be a setback. But the team?s morale is high and the guys are looking forward to next week.?

It was also learned yesterday that Canada will be without the services of Ian Billcliff, who captained Canada in Davison?s absence in last year?s Intercontinental Cup semi-final clash with United Arab Emirates and the final against eventual winners Scotland in Sharjah.

Greeting news of Davison?s forced omission with guarded optimism, Bermuda coach Logie, stated: ?We aren?t going to take anything for granted because sometimes replacement players come into the team and do just as well.

?Certainly we will go over there with some of our own senior players unavailable for whatever reasons and so it is now a matter for the new guys coming into the squad to step up.

?But we still anticipate a tough contest in Canada and I think to have a player like Davison out would bring a smile to any bowler?s face because obviously he can be very destructive and we have already seen what he can do.

?We have already been on the receiving end of his batting and even his bowling. He and Billcliff are two quality players and so we have to capitalise on those omissions.?

During last year?s Intercontinental Cup clash with Bermuda, Davison had overall figures of six for 73 and scored 78 off 87 balls in Canada?s second innings at Sunnybrook Park in Toronto.

Logie coached Canada to the 2003 World Cup Finals and then the West Indies to last year?s ICC Champions Trophy glory in England before succeeding Mark Harper as Bermuda national coach last April.

In only three months on the job, the former West Indies vice-captain has seen Bermuda safely through to the 2007 World Cup Finals in the West Indies.

The winners of next week?s InterContinental Cup tournament, also involving Cayman Islands, will travel to Namibia later this year for the finals.

Bermuda?s squad for the tournament in Toronto has undergone sweeping changes from the one that competed against Canada a year ago and in last month?s ICC Trophy.

Omitted from last year?s Intercontinental Cup squad are Delyone Borden, OJ Pitcher, Dennis Archer, Reggie Tucker and Jekon Edness, paving the way for ICC Trophy heroes Dean Minors, Chris Foggo and Janeiro Tucker as well as spinners Rodney Trott and Hasan Durham to come into the team.

Two inclusions which might have come as a surprise are those of ICC Trophy team physio Daniel Morgan and Leg Trappers? early-order bat Graham Strange.

Clay Smith, who finished 12th on the Intercontinental Cup batting averages last year, will again captain Bermuda.

Bermuda: C.Smith (capt), J.Tucker, I.Romaine, S.Mukuddem, D.Leverock, K.Hurdle, D.Minors, R.Steede, D.Morgan, J.Robinson, C.Foggo, G.Strange, H.Durham, R.Trott.

ICC Intercontinental Cup schedule: Bermuda v Canada, August 23 to 25; Bermuda v Cayman Islands, August 27 to 29. Both matches at Toronto Cricket Club.