Top cricketers Dean Minors, Lionel Cann and Dale Fox have all been ruled out of Cup Match after failing to pay their St. George's membership dues by the June 30 deadline.

And it is understood a petition has been circulated at the club calling for a special meeting to address the issue.

Members are clearly unhappy at the unavailability, in particular, of Minors, who has been in England playing cricket since April. He was due to return to the Island last night.

This marks the second straight year that Cup Match selection at St. George's has been clouded by controversy.

Last year Noel Gibbons' 23-year Cup Match career came to an end when he was overlooked because his dues had not been paid, though the player insisted they were paid by a friend.

The latest dispute was discussed on Monday night at the regular meeting of the management committee and the decision was made to stand by the policy which was implemented last year.

In the past, players had been known to wait as late as just prior to the last trial match to become financial. Now the club has apparently decided to take a firm stand on the issue.

New club president Mansfield Smith, who took over from Clevie Foggo in January, declined to comment when contacted yesterday, but it is understood that the club's financial year actually ends on September 30 with a three-month grace period to the end of December. Cricketers have been given even further leeway, until June 30, to pay their dues by which time nine months have actually elapsed since the deadline.

The latest development means that at least three places have been created in the team.

Kenny Phillip has not played at all this year and his spot was expected to have been taken by Fox. Now, with Cann also unavailable, it means that the club must search for two attack bowlers, including one to partner Clarkie Trott with the new ball.

Gregg Foggo, who has also just returned from England, could be one of the leading candidates for a bowling spot while his uncle, Lewis Foggo, looks the obvious choice to handle the wicketkeeping duties.

Minors, Cann and Fox are still eligible to play in the final trial match on Saturday, and in fact have been selected, though the teams are expected to be reviewed tomorrow night when the selection committee meets to choose its league team for Sunday's match.

Final trial match teams for Saturday at Wellington Oval starting at 10 a.m.: President's XI: Graham Fox (captain), Dexter Smith, Wendell Smith, Clay Smith, Lionel Cann, Cleon Scotland, Dean Minors, Eugene Foggo, David Adams, Clarkie Trott, Ryan Steede.

Vice-president's XI: Arnold Manders (captain), Ricky Hodsoll, Glenn Smith, Charlie Marshall, Gregory Sampson, Lewis Foggo, Clevie Wade, Ritchie Foggo, Herbie Bascome, Jason Anderson, Jermaine Outerbridge, Gregg Foggo, Dale Fox.

A training session for all players will be held at Wellington Oval at 6.00 p.m. today.

Dean Minors