His name already synonymous with Somerset folklore after producing a vintage unbeaten knock of 170 in 1950, Timmy Edwards now stands on the verge of yet another historical Cup Match accomplishment.

Having long since retired from the game, Edwards is now responsible for one of the most critical but often overshadowed aspects of the game - the preparation of the turf wicket.

And while it's become customary through the years not to reveal too much information about the Cup Match wicket prior to the game, in keeping with tradition, Edwards said he would only "top dress" the surface.

"They (club officials) want it kind of hard . . . with a good surface and a little bit of grass but not too much I suppose, if I can get it that low," said Edwards earlier this week.

"Most of the club's committee and players want to get it kind of hard, so I will be concentrating on that for the next few days because we are having a lot of funny weather right now.

"Everything is coming along nicely right now but the weather at the moment is very important."

During Saturday's final trial match at the west end club, both players and officials alike were expressing concerns over the wicket which was fully covered with grass.

As champions, Somerset can ill-afford to give St.George's a slight advantage, especially in the knowledge that the east enders will be pinning their hopes heavily on a proven seam attack, of whom would fancy coming out tomorrow and finding an appetising grassy strip.

Surprisingly though, last year challengers St. George's prepared a turf that evidently became a batter's paradise.

Former Cup Match greats Lloyd James and Sheridan Raynor earlier this week offered their own opinions on today's Cup Match wickets.

The two respective Cup Match clubs first reverted to turf wickets in 1970 while the former National Sports Club in Devonshire was the first club to introduce turf strips on the Island in 1968. Southampton followed in 1969.

"Over the years I have seen a big change in Cup Match since the introduction of turf wickets," said James.

"And I think that it's taken a lot out of the real enthusiasm and emotionalism out of the game, because now the wicket is prepared so much for the batting that you have so many draws.

"They (turf wickets) are prepared for longer periods - not just for two-days."

Raynor said he hoped that this year's Cup Match wicket would have some pace in it.

"When the wicket is very dead it doesn't make the game look first class," said Raynor, the first Bermudian batsman to score a century against international opposition.

"I hope that the wicket has some pace to it because if you have pace bowlers and the wicket is playing too slow it takes a lot out of steam out of the game.

"That's why I couldn't understand St. George's last year. They had all the pace bowlers but they prepared the slowest wicket for them to bowl on.

"Batsman like Albert Steede also prefer playing on a surface where the ball comes flying off."