Top batsman Clay Smith has been charged with bringing the game of cricket into disrepute and could miss the opportunity to represent Bermuda in the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica next month for the second year in a row.

The charges have arisen from last Sunday's Premier League game at Southampton Oval between his club, St. David's, and Southampton Rangers when Smith showed dissent and refused to leave the field immediately after given out by stand-in umpire Colin Blades.

The East End club moved swiftly, slapping a three-match ban on their captain and coach claiming that the code of conduct established by St. David's does not allow for dissent to be shown at umpire's decisions.

But subsequent action taken by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control could prove to be far more costly for the player who has now returned to school in the United States.

Smith's father Mansfield confirmed yesterday that his son was looking forward to competing in the Red Stripe Bowl -- but now his hopes could again be shattered.

The player toured Toronto, Canada, with the Bermuda national team and played a vital role in helping them return with an impressive winning record.

Last year Smith missed a chance to represent Bermuda in the Red Stripe when he was banned shortly before the tournament.

He was penalised by the Board after being found guilty of making disparaging remarks to umpire Ronald O'Hara when given out lbw while playing for St.

George's against Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval on August 9.

Smith was slapped with a five-match ban that ended his hopes of a trip to Guyana with the national team.

Board officials were yesterday reluctant to go into details about allegations contained Blades' report. But a source confirmed that the procedure was well underway to having official charges laid and arranging a disciplinary hearing to take place in the very near future.

The 28 year-old player will be charged under law 42 of the player's conduct act.

There are four charges to answer: bringing the game into disrepute, refusing to leave the field of play immediately, disputing a decision of the umpire and displaying ungentlemanly conduct.

"Clay didn't intend to play any more cricket here this season because of school abroad, but he was hoping to play in the Red Stripe,'' said Mansfield.

The opener had actually returned to school but came home last Friday in order to play in two matches for St. David's, Saturday's Eastern Counties final against Bailey's Bay and Sunday's league game against Southampton where he landed in hot water again.