IS THE risk worth the reward?

It?s a question Bermuda?s national cricket team selectors will have to seriously debate as they consider the case of skipper Clay Smith prior to announcing their final squad this weekend for the ICC Trophy in Ireland.

Under normal circumstances, Smith?s name would be first on the list.

He?s consistently proved himself at the international level, he?s a good motivator and his commitment and passion for the game are unrivalled.

Yet it?s become increasingly clear in recent weeks that, despite surgery late last year, the knee injury which he carried for much of last season is far from healed.

He?s nowhere near 100 percent fit, perhaps not even 80 percent.

And the question the selectors have to face is whether a partially-fit Smith is still of more value than a fully-fit replacement.

If his body won?t be able to withstand the rigours of a tournament which will require as many as eight matches in the space of two weeks, as well as the warm-up games that will precede that competition, should they risk his inclusion.

Can a squad of 14 - the maximum allowed by the ICC - afford to be reduced to 13 should Smith break down completely?

There is, of course, still six weeks remaining before the first tournament game against hosts Ireland, and it could be that the injury will improve in that period.

There?s also a strong argument to include Smith regardless of his physical condition, using him sparingly, only in the matches that matter most.

Given that in recent seasons he?s probably worked harder than any player to improve his own game and along the way inspire others, his mere presence in the tour party could be of tremendous worth.

At the end of the day, only Smith himself knows whether he?s up to the challenge.

And whether he travels or whether he doesn?t, should perhaps be his decision and his alone.

As skipper, he has a responsibility to the team and to the country.

It?s a responsibility which we know he takes seriously.

He desperately wants to play in Ireland, and to be brutally honest, if Bermuda are to stand any chance of qualifying for the 2007 World Cup, the team desperately need him.

It?s a dilemma the selectors could well do without.

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SMITH?S injury aside, there have been plenty of positives in the lead-up to the ICC Trophy with some outstanding performances from other players in the national squad during the early days of this season.

The likes of Albert Steede, Charlie Marshall, Lionel Cann and Kevin Hurdle have all impressed.

And while the opposition they face on the domestic front hardly compares with what they?ll come up against in Ireland, it?s encouraging to see so many of the top players playing well.

Confidence in their own ability will be a key factor when the tournament begins.

If that confidence can rub off on other squad members, it can help lift team spirit and strengthen morale.

There?s still a long way to go, but the signs are encouraging.