A prominent player in today's Eastern Counties Cup second round clash between champions St. David's and Bailey's Bay has called for a switch in format for this game and the annual Cup Match.

Lionel Cann, vice-captain of St. David's, says the time has come for both competitions to turn to 60 overs in order to make the games more appealing to the fans and the players.

"We have to be more concerned about the fans, they want and deserve to see a result and that's why I feel there should be a concerted effort to move with the times and enforce the changes that will benefit the sport of cricket," said Cann.

"I know there are some who say that it's traditional for Cup Match and Eastern Counties to maintain the same format but I strongly disagree. Look around, technology changes every day and if you don't keep up with the times you'll get left behind.

"Look at the Western Counties, they have introduced coloured clothing just like the Test nations have done and they have picked up crowds with the changes they are implementing."

According to the all-rounder Cup Match and the Eastern Counties are the two biggest cricket events in the Island and they both play vital roles in helping to prepare local players for international fixtures.

But Cann reckoned it didn't make any sense to have young players experience the atmosphere of playing before large crowds without using the limited overs format.

"This past Cup Match was a beautiful one, it was entertaining as records got broken but at the end of the day there was no result because the skippers make decisions to declare whenever they want. Limited overs makes things more strategic for the captains, batting on and on would no longer be an option.

"Bermuda play all limited overs competitions whenever they travel. If we are talking about development for these international competitions then our first goal should be to master limited overs in all of our domestic games. Our main objective is to strive for ICC and the World Cup and in all major international competitions it's nothing but limited overs.

"We have the youth programmes, the youngsters are really coming along and getting involved in cricket. Let's build on this enthusiasm and momentum and move ahead.

"It's the 100th year of Cup Match next year and it's time to start a new era, people want a result and it would be an ideal time to change. The Eastern Counties 100th anniversary is coming up and they should make the switch also. To those responsible and in position to make the changes I say let's move now and keep up with the times.

"During Saturday's game I hope everybody keeps that idea in mind.''

St. David's should be firm favourites over Bay who will be minus the Hill brothers and with Irving Romaine skippering the team in the absence of Corey Hill.

St. David's player-coach Clay Smith is optimistic about his side's chances of retaining the trophy and advancing, but he expects a tough challenge.

"We are expecting a more competitive game against Bay than we had against Flatts in the previous round, even though they will be minus key players. If we manage to contain Glenn (Blakeney) and get past him early then we should manage to win," said Smith.

"We are going into the game with intensity, our goal has always been to win every game we play and this hasn't changed. Bay have a good winning record in the competition and we expect a good challenge. But their bowling hasn't been all that strong, they don't have too much variety in their attack and once we deal with Anthony Braithwaite I don't see too many problems."

St. David's will be minus top batsman Albert Steede who is unavailable. Bay have included veteran player-coach Noel Gibbons with the absence of key players.

St. David's: Clay Smith (capt), Lionel Cann (vice captain), Phillip Pitcher, Chris Foggo, Landro Minors, O.J.Pitcher, Delyone Borden, Del Hollis, Dale Fox, Sammy Robinson, Herbie Bascome. Res: Fiqre Crockwell, Lorean Marshall.

Bailey's Bay: Irving Romaine (capt), Stephen Outerbridge, Cal Dill, Jermaine Warner, Dennis Trott, Dennis Pilgrim, David Lovell (colt), Charlie Marshall, Glenn Blakeney, Anthony Braithwaite, Noel Gibbons. Res: Jahmeiko Marshall, Rodney Trott, Kaiwon Burgess.

l Tomorrow's top Premier Division clash pits Bailey's Bay against St.George's at Sea Breeze Oval with both sides desperately needing a win to maintain their slim hopes of catching leaders St. David's.

The Islanders, however, van all but wrap up the title by taking maximum points from Willow Cuts at Lords.