eight league fixtures, just two weeks after English county side Derbyshire whetted the appetites of local cricket enthusiasts with an exciting six-game tour.

While other teams took steps to strengthen their ranks with new signings, defending Premier Division champions Western Stars are gearing up for a test of their supremacy with pretty much the same squad that brought them their first title last season. Their only changes see opening batsman Dexter Smith departing for a new challenge with St. George's while Andre Manders returns home to Stars after a stint with west enders Somerset.

Ironically these two batsmen produced the highest scores against Derbyshire during the recent tour, Smith scoring 71 and Manders 42 in the matches against the Cup Match clubs.

Smith made the move to St. George's to improve his Cup Match chances and his dashing 71, which tied his highest score last season, has served early notice that he could be a batsman to watch during the coming season.

Manders, who slipped out of contention for Bermuda following the tour of Barbados, gave the selectors a nudge with a patient knock against Derbyshire for Somerset and with the burden of the captaincy behind him will be able to concentrate more on his batting in his first season back at Western Stars.

Former Stars and Bermuda skipper Arnold Manders said that the spot left by Smith at the top of the order has not been easy to fill.

"I wouldn't say that is was and even swap -- getting Andre for Smith.

"Andre is a good bat, but we'll miss Dexter as an solid opening batsman.'' As for this year's goals set by the club, Manders indicated a strong desire for the Camel Cup, contested by the various county winners, and one which has eluded Stars, with them having lost in four straight finals.

"We'll be looking to try and retain the league and other trophies won last year,'' said Manders. "I think we have the most balanced attack, with four medium pacers and three spinners. But we'll have to rely on our early order bats to give us sound starts and good totals to defend, as well as our fielding.'' The large number of local cricket fans leaving for the second Test match in Barbados next week between the West Indies and Pakistan will have the opportunity of experiencing another highlight other than the game during their visit.

Dover Beach Hotel in association with the Empire Club, whose membership include a number of former prominent West Indies' Test cricketers, have arranged a "Test Match Bar B Q'' during the series and an invitations have been extended to the more than 2,000 locals who are expected to visit the country.

The event will be held at the Hotels, which is in Christ Church, on Thursday, April 22 at 7.30p.m.

Among the many former great players who will be on hand and acting as host are Sir Garfield Sobers, Everton Weekes, Charlie Griffith and Seymour Nurse.