Bermuda wicketkeeper Dean Minors will be among those challenging for a spot in St.George?s Cricket Club?s Cup Match XI at Wellington Oval on Saturday.

And already Minors? inclusion in St. George?s Cricket Club?s President?s XI has created excitement in the East End as to the possibility of the top cricketer making an appearance in the annual mid-summer classic for the first time since 2000.

?Dean has made himself available and so we the selectors have decided to give him a chance to play in the final trial match,? stated St.George?s Cricket Club chairman of Cup Match selectors Ritchie Foggo.

?I think Dean?s involvement in the final trial is a welcoming sight for the entire community of St.George?s, and it?s great to have him back in the limelight again.

?The selectors and committee members are all happy that he has made himself available. However, this doesn?t mean that he has been automatically picked. We are giving him a chance like everybody else.?

Minors will be challenging last year?s Cup Match MVP Chris Foggo, Devonshire Recreation Club?s Ricardo Brangman and Cleveland County?s Kevin Shield for the right to keep behind the stumps next week at Somerset Cricket Club.

When contacted yesterday, Minors stated: ?I want to thank those members who kept urging me to come back and hopefully I will be able to put my best foot forward on Saturday and repay them for having faith in me.?

Meanwhile, the full teams for Saturday?s final trial match are as follows: President?s XI - Lionel Cann (capt), Chris Foggo (wk), Delyone Borden, Clay Smith, Troy Hall, Dean Minors, Arthur Pitcher Jr, Tre Govia, George O?Brien Jr, Burton Outerbridge, Jahmiko Marshall.

Vice President?s XI - Charlie Marshall (capt), Keith Wainwright, Oronde Bascome, Ricky Brangman jr, OJ Pitcher, Kevin Shield, Herbie Bascome, Rodney Trott, Stefan Kelly, Vernon Eve. Reserves - Kyle Hodsoll, Loren Marshall, Ankoma Cannonier, Akeem Trott.

Minors, meanwhile, debuted in the classic at Wellington Oval in 1988 as an 18-year-old and so far has gloved 12 catches and executed four stumpings.

Newly appointed St.George?s skipper and former Whitney Institute schoolmate, Lionel Cann, said a player of Minors? calibre can only add to the champion?s team.

?Dean adds a lot of experience to the team having played before in Cup Match for numerous years,? he said. ?He is definitely one of the top players representing the national squad at the moment and probably the top wicketkeeper in Bermuda. And it?s just nice to see him wanting to become a part of the programme again.?

The veteran cricketer has been one of the most consistent batsmen at the national level in the past year. During last August?s ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Canada in Toronto, Minors (66) shared in a crucial 119 run sixth-wicket partnership along with Janeiro Tucker (123) that ultimately swung the match in Bermuda?s favour.

Meanwhile, former St.George?s Cup Match wicketkeeper/batsman, manager and selector Dennis Wainwright is delighted to see Minors back in the Cup Match limelight.

?I really support the selection committee?s views towards having Dean involved in the trial match on Saturday because he is the best in the country. Not only is he the best wicketkeeper, but also the best wicketkeeper/batsman,? Wainwright told .

Wainwright currently holds the record for the most dismissals in Cup Match (37) and also in the Eastern Counties (31).

?His addition would be a welcomed treat, not only to the St.George?s team but also for people that like to watch the best play,? he added. ?I?ve often said in the past Cup Match should consist of your best players, and so I wish Dean all the best of luck.?