Outstanding left-handed batsman Glenn Blakeney yesterday assured he will be aiming for a place in next year's ICC Trophy team, barring any problems with the hamstring injury that hampered him last season.

This will be pleasant news to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control who were baffled last summer when the talented player failed to make himself available for the two biggest international commitments -- the regional tournament against Canada in Toronto and the Red Stripe tournament in the Caribbean after earlier declaring his intention to play.

"I intend to make myself available next year, there is no doubt about it,'' said the 27-year-old.

"But for the moment I prefer to wait until our new national coach Roland Butcher arrives in the Island before I start training.'' "I intended to play with the national squad last season but I was hampered by a hamstring injury and I didn't want to take a chance by playing in a big international tournament like the Red Stripe.'' This week BCBC president El James confirmed that top batsman, Albert Steede, had decided to return to the squad after pulling out of it the past season.

James said he would like to see others commit themselves to becoming involved this time around -- his comments obviously aimed in the direction of Blakeney.

While he seemed to be quite serious about being committed to the squad in the New Year, Blakeney didn't appear to be overly impressed about the Board's decision to assemble the squad for what some regard as early preparation for the busy international cricketing calendar.

"I strongly feel that we should have long had a coach and long been in training for the ICC Tournament -- we should have had done it about two years ago,'' he said.

"We need time to find the best team and let the players feel each other out in order to blend. All of this stuff about differences over the captaincy etc.

is not helpful.

"But all of that is out of my hands, all I can do is concentrate on my own situation and say that I can be counted on for the ICC Tournament and the World Cup campaign.

"I have been looking forward to the ICC Tournament, my aim is to help the team make the World Cup and put Bermuda back on the map.'' Blakeney added: "I will make a move to fully commit myself to the squad when Butcher gets here, there is no doubt that I want to represent my country again with a goal being to get them in the World Cup.'' Continued on page 33 Glenn's goal Continued from page 31 The player said he was able to persevere last season and firmly believes that he gave his best while playing with an injury.

He said he felt he did well at his new club, St. David's, after moving from Bailey's Bay.

"I felt that I did my best with St. David's after making the move, although the circumstances with the injury nagging me on and off made it difficult,'' he said.

"I simply didn't have sufficient time to heal properly, but I still feel that I had a pretty good season with them.'' Blakeney has batted as an opener and down to number six for both club and country, but has previously said that he would be prepared to bat anywhere for Bermuda.

"It doesn't matter, I'll be happy wherever the skipper or coaches want me to bat. I have no real preference. If I am chosen to do a job I will simply go out there and do the best that I can, that's always been my approach,'' he said.

Glenn Blakeney: keen to play.