Expectations that Somerset may use a top two-pronged spin attack in Cup Match have been crushed with the news that the west-enders have dismissed Bruce Perinchief's chances of appearing in the mid-summer classic this year.

The inclusion of the Devonshire Recreation Club slow bowler in a remake of the Bermuda tandem with Western Stars' Wayne Richardson would have given the challengers a formidable leg-spin attack. But Perinchief reportedly failed to pay his dues by the time the teams for the final trial were selected this week and therefore blew any hopes he had of rejoining the club after a one-year absence.

Selection committee chairman Kevin Saunders yesterday ruled out a last-minute reprieve, should Perinchief pay his dues.

"The truth is that it wouldn't make any difference. As far as we are concerned the players are aware of the procedure, they've known about it since a year ago,'' said Saunders.

The chairman said that Perinchief had been deeply involved in training with the large number of prospects challenging for positions this year, pointing out that the spinner "had been out for the last two weeks.'' But Saunders could shed no light on reasons why the player had not become financial.

When contacted yesterday Perinchief said: "I guess I left it (paying dues) a bit late. I had it on my mind to do it on Friday or early Saturday.'' Perinchief, whose season has been disrupted by hamstring injuries suffered during the West Indies Board Select tour in June, is disturbed by Somerset's indifference to having his services.

"There has been no communication. When I played in 1991 they made sure I paid my dues but no one said anything this time,'' he said.

Saunders later confirmed that Del Hollis was in the same position as Perinchief -- not financial. But in his case the Cleveland spinner was allowed to play in the most recent trial match. The focus on Cup Match will be centred on team selection tomorrow with the only one certainty being that both teams will name new captains from a year ago with Wendell Smith of St. George's withdrawing last week because of a leg injury and Andre Manders having resigned from Somerset to rejoin Western Stars at the start of the season.

Perry Maybury appears to be an automatic replacement at Somerset while St.

George's were due last night to announce league captain Graham Fox as the Cup Match leader.

The chairmen of the respective selection committees, Saunders and his counterpart Gregory Foggo of St. George's, both felt that the task of picking their teams this year should be no more difficult than it has been in the past -- both revealing that there will be a few changes.

"The only concern we may have could be in the bowling department and this will involve on whether to concentrate on including extra pace or spin bowlers. Otherwise I don't anticipate any real problems in picking the team,'' said Saunders of Somerset.

For St. George's though Foggo was not nearly as specific, admitting only that he too expected no real problems when they meet after tomorrow's final trial match.

"It actually should be no different than in previous years when we pick the team. One thing for certain is that we will have to make a minimum of two changes with skipper Wendell Smith and Dale Fox absent,'' said Foggo.

By concentrating on improving their attack Somerset have apparently learned from their mistake of a year ago when they took a team consisting of mediocre bowlers to St. George's in hopes of pulling off victory, only to see them struggle. So it's understandable when Saunders makes it clear that they will be concentrating on the bowling.

However, Foggo may be underestimating the task ahead tomorrow night as far as the duration of the team selection is concerned because there are signals that it may prove to more difficult than ever.

The captaincy may not be a sure thing among selectors and choosing two opening batsmen could be more of a burden than expected.

Without Wendell Smith's leadership the champions will be minus the authoritative personality that is required for a team of many seasoned players, but this is not to diminish the abilities of the man tipped for the job -- Graham Fox.

With Smith the team has comfortably climbed out of trouble to security during crises in previous Cup Matches, but with the younger and lesser experienced Fox they will have to prepare to graft their way when in a similar tough position.

The biggest headache for St. George's though could involve deciding who will open the batting. A year ago Wendell Smith was their only legitimate player used in the position with Arnold Manders joining him in the first innings and Noel Gibbons the second.

With the skipper unavailable this year the problem looks to be acute at this stage with Dexter Smith, who has done a decent job with their league team, being the only legitimate opener around. Of course veterans Manders and Gibbons will be considered to fill the gap as well.

BRUCE PERINCHIEF -- Failing to pay his dues by the time Somerset's final trial was selected blew any hopes the slow bowler would rejoin the west-enders.