Dexter Basden knows better than to pay too much attention to the controversy at St. George's regarding their selection policy.

Last year they went into Cup Match thinking that the absence of Noel Gibbons and David Adams might have worked in their favour.

..and ended up soundly beaten.

This year the champions have again gambled, leaving out veteran Arnold Manders, Dean Minors and Clarkie Trott, which might suggest to some an element of overconfidence.

But Basden doesn't believe his job has been made any easier by the controversy surrounding his opponents.

"We are not even focusing on that point, we're just trying to get ourselves motivated to the point where no one can beat us no matter what team they've got,'' said Basden.

"It's definitely going to be difficult but as long as we can get ourselves in a good frame of mind we can come out on top.'' The last time Somerset took the cup from St. George's was in 1979 when the East Enders made a couple of surprise selections, with captain Neville Darrell dropped and Gregory Foggo leading the team for the first time. A more experienced Somerset team, with eight players fresh from ICC duty, capitalised.

This year could mark Somerset's best chance since then to regain the cup, although their task still remains a formidable one.

Somerset's most successful period in Cup Match in recent history was between 1979 and 1982 when they won three times, only to lose again in 1983 when Clevie Wade returned the cup to the East End with a three wicket win at Somerset.

Like Wade, Basden also lost in his first year as skipper but is determined to make amends at the second attempt as Wade did.

"I'm hoping to follow that same trend,'' said Basden.

The West Enders have not won since John Tucker led Somerset to victory in 1982, though they were in a good position after the first day in last year's match when St. George's were 185-7 at stumps in reply to Somerset's 247-4 declared.

St. George's recovered sufficiently to finish the first innings just 10 runs behind and when Somerset set St. George's a seemingly impossible target, the East Enders took up the challenge to record a memorable victory.

"If you put the game into quarters, three of the quarters belonged to us,'' believes Basden. "But St. George's stole the game from us in the last two hours of Friday afternoon. I've definitely got a score to settle.

"They had the controversy last year with Noel Gibbons and Chick Adams and I thought it would be a plus for us. Here, this year there is no Dean Minors because of the dues controversy but I don't even worry about that. I'll look at their weaknesses and go from there, but otherwise the controversy, we haven't paid it any mind.'' Last year Basden came in for criticism for bowling too much late in the game as St. George's thrashed the Somerset bowlers, with Basden conceding 71 runs in just six overs.

"I must admit I felt I bowled a good bit but I was looking at fellas having guts at the last hour of the game and everybody seemed like they had lost it and I was the only one who felt we could have saved the game,'' said the captain. "I'll take the flak for that and we'll make up for it this year.'' Basden isn't revealing too much about his batting order, other than to confirm that he will most likely opening the innings with Albert Steede, "captain and vice captain leading the way''.

"We have to set the stage so it's going to depend on us to give the team a good start.'' Other key batsmen are former captain Andre Manders, Jeff Richardson, Richard Basden, Shannon Warner and Roger Trott. Steede is the most in form of all Bermuda batsmen right now and his wicket will be priceless. In the bowling department Basden will rely heavily on his uncles, Rodney and Kevin Fubler, Rodney as new ball partner with Roger Blades and Kevin whose offspinners should set up an interesting contest with the six St. George's left-handers.

Kevin was picked for that purpose, with the ball that leaves the left-hander likely to cause some problems as could Hasan Durham's orthodox leg spinners against right-handers Clay Smith, Clevie Wade and Lionel Cann.

"I feel it's an all-round balanced team and guys will give me 120 percent,'' said a confident Basden. "We've got two specialist spinners, two specialist pace bowlers and a few medium pacers to fill the gap, so it's a perfect all-round team.'' This will be Basden's third trip to St. George's this season, having twice travelled with his Willow Cuts team. The first time he won in the league which ended an unbeaten streak by St. George's, lasting more than two seasons, and the second time, a couple of weeks ago, he lost in the quarter-finals of the Knockout Cup.

That could prompt an interesting duel between the two captains on a ground where St. George's are usually difficult to beat.

"Put it this way, my league team went down there this year and beat them in the league so there's no doubt they can be beaten on their own field,'' Basden insisted.

KEY PAIR -- David Adams (left) and Glenn Smith, two of St. George's key players, keep in shape in the build-up to tomorrow's summer classic.

RIVALS -- Opposing captains Dexter Basden (left) of Somerset and Graham Fox of St. George's were all smiles when they met this week. But it will be serious business when they step out at Wellington Oval tomorrow morning.