making derogatory remarks during a recent match -- then should be allowed to carry on playing, according to a fellow player.

All-rounder Lionel Cann made his claim ahead of Smith's disciplinary hearing this evening.

Cann, who played in the game in which the the remarks were allegedly made, said it was important to point out that Smith's case was not nearly as serious as that of Richard Basden's.

The St. George's Cup Match skipper didn't deserve any sort of disciplinary action taken against him such as a suspension or a probation period, he said.

"It's unfortunate that the public has been made to compare this case to that of Richard Basden's case when this one wasn't nearly as serious. When Clay was dismissed he was taunted by Dexter and Richard Basden, and as a result of being provoked by them he directed a few comments directly to them and nobody else,'' claimed Cann.

"I don't want people to think he actually told off the umpire, that wasn't the case. It's just unfortunate that umpire Mr. O'Hara thought it important to report Clay.'' Cann stressed that Smith's past record on the field of play was unblemished and he hoped that the committee would take this into consideration.

"Clay has never been in any trouble, it would be out of character for him to be rude to an umpire. Mr, O'Hara is a realtively new official and it's unfortunate that he didn't fully understand what was happening,'' said Cann.