St. George?s Cup Match selector Lewis Foggo believes national coach Gus Logie is being unnecessarily cautious by withdrawing the Island?s leading seam bowlers from this year?s summer classic.

But he admitted that the priorities of the national team must come first with only 12 months to go before the World Cup and he said he would respect the coach?s wishes.

Logie revealed on Wednesday that he would be asking the quick bowlers who are selected for the long and important tour to Canada and leave the day after Cup Match concludes on August 4 not to make themselves available for selection.

He added that although he understood the importance of Cup Match to Bermudians and did not want to devalue the year?s domestic sporting showpiece, he was under obligation to ensure his players were firing on all cylinders by the time the tour began.

Logie added that he had no problem with his national team batsmen appearing at Somerset Cricket Club, but he would also request that if selected, all-rounders such as Saleem Mukuddem and Lionel Cann only bat.

Foggo, however, took issue with this latter suggestion and argued that Cup Match would be a useful warm-up for those picked in the national team.

?I would have thought that getting the bowlers out for a decent workout in a competitive game would be good preparation for the tour to Canada,? he said.

?And I think the idea that the all-rounders play but not bowl is a joke frankly.

?Now I?m not ruling out that option in any way but my first reaction is that if they are going to play, they should play a full part with both bat and ball.

?But when it come to playing cricket at a international level, that does have to take priority and I have to respect what Logie wants, as well as what the players want.?

Asked whether he feared Cup Match would be in any way undermined by the potential absence of key players, Foggo was adamant the game would be just as competitive and entertaining.

?Cup Match will be Cup Match regardless,? he said.

?Whatever 11 players we pick to go out there and play, we?re confident they will perform.

?Saying that, we will be looking to have some dialogue with the Board and the players in the near future so that we are all on the same page.?