Smith back in the frame for a place in St. George's' Cup Match team -- but the bespectacled opener isn't about to take anything for granted.

After being left out of the side for two years in a row Smith prefers to let his bat do the talking...and, as of late, the selectors have likely been listening.

At a time when recognised openers are hard to find, Smith remains one of the few who play with any consistency.

Now the consensus is that he is among a shallow pool of those challenging for the two opening spots along with incumbent Arnold Manders who stroked 87 not out on Sunday, promising youngster Chris Foggo and club player Ricky Hodsoll, who has two half-centuries at the top of the order.

The East Enders will be forced to make one change from their opening pair of a year ago (assuming the on-form Manders is retained) as Jason Lewis has missed the entire season through work commitments.

Smith has been among the top 10 in the batting averages all season and going into this weekend he is rated number eight after a compelling innings on Sunday against a formidable Western Stars bowling attack.

Says Smith of his chances at being recalled: "That decision is in the hands of the selectors. I would only hope that any player will be selected on merit and nothing else.'' But he appears just as concerned about the fortunes of his club, Devonshire Rec., who earlier this season had to default a match.

"Sunday was all about the team finally getting out of the blocks,'' he said.

"With all the adversity, whether it be poor performances or player apathy, it was extremely important, especially for all the youngsters we have at Devonshire, to get a positive result. That it came against Western Stars, contrived or not, was special.'' Back to Cup Match, Smith agrees that a drop-off in form over the past two seasons hurt his chances of returning to the annual classic.

But now he believes he is very much on the rebound and heading for one of his finest seasons.

"I have always scored a lot of runs and I did so the previous two seasons,'' he added. "But sometimes it is not how many runs you score but how you score them. And I must say that this year is the first since 1994 that I can go to the wicket and honestly feel that I am already set. I don't hope now, I expect.'' St. George's selectors would have been encouraged by the way both Smith and Manders batted on Sunday.

Manders' aggressive 87 not out helped Stars to 164 for four and then Smith spearheaded Devonshire Rec. in their chase after a winning target of 165 with just 45 minutes and 20 overs.

The dominant partner in his team's stands, Smith made new Stars skipper Albert Steede regret making an early declaration by tearing the bowling apart with some glorious driving to all parts of the field.

DEXTER SMITH Cup Match selection?