the award presentation is held this evening at the National Trust-owned property, Waterville, in Paget.

Smith, who won the 1991 award, is the firm favourite to land this year's award after his record breaking batting performance in last week's Cup Match at Wellington Oval.

And while his first century in the classic in the first innings and 59 in the second took him past Lloyd James' record aggregate of 988 runs in the classic, it didn't come without criticism from many fans who accused the St. George's and Bermuda captain of putting his personal achievement before a victory.

Smith took three hours and 36 minutes to score his first 50 from 145 balls on the opening day. His first Cup Match century came in five hours and 28 minutes. He batted in all for six hours and eight minutes for his 129 after sharing in a record second wicket partnership of 220 with brother Clay who also scored his first Cup Match century -- 108 in five hours and four minutes.

In the second innings, with a draw the most likely result, Wendell hit 59 to become the highest scorer in the history of Cup Match -- on the same ground where his Cup Match career began 16 years ago.

Smith's total of 188 runs for the match takes him to within just seven runs of becoming the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in Cup Match.

As well as the Smith brothers, other outstanding performances were turned in by spinner David Adams who returned his best figures in Cup Match in Somerset's only innings when he claimed six for 74 from 24.3 overs.

Colt Janeiro Tucker of Somerset had a promising entry into Cup Match, hitting 24 in 30 minutes in his team's tailend to help them avoid the follow-on and then took two for 38 from 12 overs in the St. George's second innings.

The Cup Match MVP, which was first sponsored by R.J.Reynolds in 1982, has been dominated by St. George's players with just one Somerset player, Anthony Amory in 1989, winning the award.

Award List 1982 -- Noel Gibbons 1983 -- Allen Richardson 1984 -- Stan Smith 1985 -- Clevie Wade 1986 -- Noel Gibbons 1987 -- Noel Gibbons 1988 -- Arnold Manders 1989 -- Anthony Amory 1990 -- Allan Douglas 1991 -- Wendell Smith.