While the row between the two Cup Match clubs and the Testimonial committee continues to sizzle, opinion is split on just who is in the right.

Somerset and St. George's are said to be baulking at a request to switch their final trial matches prior to the mid-summer classic in order to accommodate an incoming tour that will feature prominent former West Indian Test players.

The visitors, who will include Sir Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh, Phil Simmons and Jeffrey Dujon, are scheduled to play two games here against local opponents on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28.

Cricket historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill strongly feels that the clubs should be more considerate and move their final trials to the Thursday preceding Cup Match, leaving the annual Testimonial cricket match to take place as planned at the respective Cup Match grounds.

Zuill said that Bermuda had never been able to witness such high profile former West Indies Test players on home soil, and reckoned that every latitude should be given to ensure that the public get to see them.

"My opinion is that if the Testimonial people are going to play one game in St. George's and the other in Somerset the clubs are not going to be losing any revenue, which was their original excuse," said Zuill. "If the threat of losing money concerned them that much then the alternative to have the Testimonial played at the respective grounds should resolve that. There is no doubt that the clubs will in fact make much more money."

Zuill said in the past trials had been played on Thursdays but that was when that day used to be half-day closing.

"I realise that things are a bit different now, still we are only talking about a one-off occasion for the switch," he said.

"I strongly feel that the clubs will not be losing anything. The public has constantly been screaming for international tours here and exposure for our players. Here we are about to get some and nobody wants to give or take."

But long-time St. George's executive and current umpire Mansfield (Bojangles) Smith sided with the clubs and thought it was unwise to move away from tradition of holding the trials on the Saturday. Smith claimed that moving the trials two days forward to the Thursday may prevent many players from getting the time off from work.

"Saturdays and Sundays have been the free days for cricket and playing on a Thursday may also pose a problem when each Cup Match club has to choose two teams to play their trial games. We are talking about getting a lot of players to take off from work," said Smith.

"These trials are very, very important for some players who get into Cup Match by the performance in that one game."

Smith said he would not advocate any change, particularly not during the 100th anniversary of the event.

"Saturdays are when the Cup sides play their final trials before picking their teams in the early evening and and it will be a shame if some players will not be there to compete if it's switched to a Thursday and work commitments prevent them from getting involved," he said.

"I say keep it like it is. It's unfortunate, but we must remember that Cup Match is the biggest game we have on the Island bar none.''

The Testimonial Committee is still awaiting a final response from the clubs.

St. George's' president Neil Paynter was reluctant to comment on the situation, saying the two clubs would be discussing the matter at length in the near future.

Somerset officials, meanwhile, have been away in Barbados until recently.

Meanwhile an updated list of the West Indies touring team has been released. The squad consists of Sir Vivian Richards, Courtney Walsh, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Phil Simmons, Joel Garner, Gus Logie and Colin Croft. They will be joined by Collis King, Jeffrey Dujon, Roger Harper, Robert Haynes, Richie Richardson and Ezra Mosely.