All-rounder Lionel Cann has signed a playing contract with Bermuda Cricket Board just days after threatening to quit the national team in a row over money.

Cann had accused the BCB of ignoring the financial needs of their players, and said he felt 'totally let down' by their attitude towards him.

The St David's skipper claimed that the BCB were only willing to compensate him for his job as a caretaker at Saltus Grammar School, and not for overtime or for a second job he claims to have in the construction industry.

"Four years on and nothing has changed," Cann said in a report published in the Bermuda Sun. "Some players have lost thousands of dollars to play for their country and they are still losing money. My contract starts on Monday and I have to seriously think about whether I can afford to sign it.

"It's alright to say that you're getting paid to do what you love, but it's different for a man that has a family and bills to pay. It isn't just that it is a financial struggle, it's the principle. We had this dispute last time and nothing has changed, I feel totally let down."

It was not the first time that Cann had lashed out at the BCB over pay. A similar situation developed before the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Then the BCB launched an investigation into Cann's claims to have a second job, but were unable to find any evidence that one existed.

Cann's agreement with the BCB comes despite the fact that the governing body have a history of coming down harshly on contracted players who speak out in the press.

Wendell White received a ban of several games just for talking in positive terms about the performances of some of his team-mates on the 2002 tour of Argentina.

The BCB have remained tight-lipped on Cann's latest outburst.

The Royal Gazette sent a list of questions to chief executive Neil Speight regarding the current situation with the explosive batsman.

The Board were asked: If Cann had ever provided evidence of a second job; if there was, in fact, a dispute at all; if Cann would be disciplined for his latest outburst; and if the latest argument had anything to do with Cann being once again overlooked for a senior position within the team.

David Hemp was appointed vice-captain last week.

Tthe BCB have refused to comment on the matter other than offering a two-line press release issued last night that said: "The BCB can confirm that Mr. Lionel Cann has been signed as a contract player as of today, January 19, 2009. Lionel is the latest player to join the BCB's High Performance Programme (HPP) with the aim to intensify preparation for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, April, 2009."