St. David’s Cricket Club chairman of selectors Eddie Lambe yesterday defended his committee’s decision to include veteran batsman Clay Smith in the champion’s squad for today’s first round Eastern Counties clash with arch rivals Bailey’s Bay at Lords.

It was learned yesterday that Smith’s selection sparked heated debate at the club while certain team members were said to be in disagreement with the veteran batsman’s inclusion in the squad.

Lambe, however, reminded his club’s followers that team selection is never an exact science, and urged them to put aside any ongoing differences they may have with the former Islander’s player-coach and instead focus on what’s best for the team.

“I think Clay’s inclusion brings more depth to our batting order. And I think in the true spirit of teamwork the players and community must except the responsibility that’s placed on the selectors,” Lambe said.

“It’s not an easy job being a selector of St. David’s Cricket Club and we are always going to have personality differences. But we have to rise above them and concentrate on what’s best for the development of the community.

“Obviously a selector’s job is to try and choose the best team available that is going to represent the club. And no matter what team is picked there is always going to be some fallout amongst players and spectators — and everybody has a right to their own opinion.

“But at the end of the day the selectors have to pick from those people who are available and on form they think is going to best represent St. David’s. But the fact remains that Clay has served us well in the past as a guest player. And while I understand people have a right to voice their concerns, I don’t think there is any merit to these concerns.”

Before moving on to Eastern Counties rivals Cleveland at the beginning of last season, Smith enjoyed a highly successful coaching stint at St. David’s where he coached the club to multiple league and cup honours. Yet despite taking the Islander’s to dizzying heights, Smith’s tenure at Lords was not always a smooth one as he often had runs-in with team-mates.

“I’ve had fall outs with Clay before. But sometimes you just have to take things with a grain of salt and move on rather than hold onto the past. And I really don’t now what all of the fuss is about,” commented St. David’s all-rounder Arthur Pitcher jr, who went to great lengths yesterday to downplay the issue.

In any case, the St. David’s selectors have chosen what at least on paper appears to be a well-balanced team that could prove a handful for challengers Bay — who are without suspended batsman Charlie Marshall and have opted to go with three colts as opposed to relying on guest players from elsewhere.

“Charlie was never a real worry for us anyway. And we never take anybody for granted because cricket is a funny game whereas anything can happen on the day,” Pitcher added.

“We are going into the match very confident and to be quite honest I think it’s going to be a very good game of cricket for the fans to watch.”

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Bay skipper Stephen Outerbridge defended his club’s new policy to go with their league players this year — but couldn’t resist the temptation of sharing his view on the Smith affair.

“I don’t see why St. David’s have to bring in someone like Clay when they have a lot of good youngsters to play in their team. They already have experience in their team and so I don’t see why they have brought in Clay,” Outerbridge said.

“I thought Lionel (St. David’s player-coach and skipper Lionel Cann) was trying to promote the youth and build a structure down at St. David’s.

“But by bringing in someone like Clay Smith who can barely walk it appears as though their cricket is at a standstill. And from what I’ve been told there has been a lot of rambling going on in their team and I can see a lot of egos clashing on the day — but that is their choice. There’s no pressure on us, and my team is ready to go.”

Bay are without the big bat of Marshall, who was slapped with a two-year ban by Eastern Counties officials for breaching conditions of his probation during last summer’s series. And the challengers have also opted against inviting Marshall’s nephew Jahmiko Marshall as well as former Bay all-rounder Dennis Pilgrim as guest players for the big occasion.

Bay have instead turned their focus to the future, with colts Tre Govia, Reid Trott and Christino Smith all poised to debut in the popular mid-summer competition.

“As a club we are working together to move forward and this is the direction we think is best because we have a lot of good young players coming through along with experienced players such as Dennis (Trott) and Irving (Romaine),” Outerbridge said.

Young Smith will carry a heavy load as a colt opening the challenger’s batting while leg break spinner Govia and swing bowler Trott will have to be at their absolute best if they are to have any success against a tall St. David’s’ batting line up.

“Tre can be a real handful on the day if he gets it right while Reid has the ability to swing the ball,” Outerbridge noted.

“At the beginning of the season our expectations were just to get a team ready for county. But now I think we are starting to build a program and implement some structure within the club and as we progress the expectation does rise.

“So I think there is a bit of expectation on our team to do well. But there isn’t any real pressure on us — I think the pressure is more on St. David’s. And I look forward to the challenge of taking responsibility — not just of Bailey’s Bay — but the whole Bailey’s Bay community.”

Turning to tomorrow’s league schedule, Somerset host defending champs Southampton Rangers at Somerset Cricket Club in the weekend’s top Premier Division match, while league leaders Social Club travel to Wellington Oval to meet hosts St. George’s and St. David’s take on Western Stars at Lords.

First Division action sees Bay hosting Willow Cuts at Sea Breeze Oval, Warwick taking on PHC at Southampton Oval, Somerset Bridge pitted against Leg Trappers at White Hill Field and Devonshire doing battle with Police at Devonshire Recreation Club.