Bermuda cricket captain Clay Smith has finally left the Island for surgery on his left knee ? several weeks later than planned because of insurance troubles.

The 35 year-old goes under the knife in Philadelphia tomorrow in an effort to repair damaged ligaments which have paid the price for a long sporting career in both cricket and football.

Smith also has considerable arthritis behind the knee cap but was assured by specialists weeks ago that this can be rectified without too much trouble.

The surgery was originally due to take place at a world famous clinic in Vail, Colorado, but Smith was forced to change his plans at the last minute because his insurance company would not agree to the operation being done there.

The surgery will now be carried out by Dr. Rex Herbert ? the former owner of Bermudian indoor soccer star David Bascome's old club, Harrisburg Heat.

The skipper, who has been on the sidelines since November and missed Bermuda's recently concluded tour of the United Arab Emirates, will remain in Philadelphia for close to two weeks undergoing intensive rehabilitation.

Tomorrow's operation will be the third in four years on his left knee and Smith admitted that he rushed back too quickly in the past ? desperate to miss as few international games as possible.

He will not make the same mistake again, he insisted.

"Nobody looks forward to surgery but I'm glad that all the insurance stuff has been sorted out and I can get on with what needs to be done," he said.

"The clinic in Philly is extremely high tech and when the surgery is finished I've got physical therapy sessions twice a day. They've got a hydrotherapy centre up there as well where you can either pedal on a stationery bike or run on a treadmill while in the water.

"So two weeks of that should get my recovery off to a good start. It then could be another three months before I'm ready to play cricket again."