Noel Gibbons in his Cup Match team to strengthen his bid to win back the cup at the first attempt.

His argument for the veteran all-rounder was apparently the reason why the St.

George's selectors spent so long in deliberations on Saturday night. The five committee members took just under four hours to finalise the team.

In the end only Arnold Manders, who Smith also coaxed out of retirement, was recalled as the East Enders named four colts among their five changes.

"The only logical reason I had was that he (Gibbons) has been the most consistent player in Bermuda over the last month,'' said Smith. "Since we brought him back for trials he has scored 65, 40 not out, 35 not out and 70 on Saturday.

"The thing I put forward to them (selectors) is that he's always taken wickets in Cup Match and if we're looking to bowl them out then we should look to as many all-rounders as possible and that is what I was stressing to them.

"It's definitely about winning it back this year and that's one reason why I was looking at Noel. If we're going to look to win it back two or three years down the road then I can't see us having Arnold in the team.'' Gibbons played the last of his 23 Cup Matches in 1992 and it would appear that his Cup Match career is now definitely over.

He was dropped over the issue of his dues not being paid and the same matter came up again this year with Dean Minors who reportedly did not pay his dues before the June 30 deadline.

But Smith denies it was an issue on selection night.

"All I can say on that is as of right now everybody's dues have been paid and the committee has cleared him to play,'' said the skipper who will have Minors as his vice-captain once again.