the St. George's Cup match team.

One of the most prolific openers in local cricket, the 29-year-old Barbadian player is enjoying his best season since arriving here four years ago. His top scores so far have been 156 not out against Nationals and 78 against St.

George's.

In addition to these knocks he has turned in good pre-season efforts while the national squad were preparing for their England tour, with unbeaten innings of 95 and 102.

His success clearly indicates that he has few rivals as an opener this season.

"He would be a good asset to either Cup Match team,'' said Somerset skipper Andre Manders.

"I have never favoured either team, but it's just that I think my chances of playing are better at St. George's than they will be at Somerset,'' said the hard-hitting right-hander.

St. George's have not yet selected a chairman for their selection committee, but one committee member who did not wish to be named said that Archer would be a valuable addition. "It's great news, he's a top bat,'' the selector said.

St. George's have one solid campaigner at opener in skipper Wendell Smith, during the past five years his has linked up with younger brother Clay on three occasions and Eugene Foggo twice. Neither partner though has managed to deliver the goods with Arnold Manders called on in the second innings last season with great success.

Clay is now regarded as a number three batsman and the club may well be interested in finding a new partner for Wendell. Dexter Smith of Western Stars and Southampton's Keith Wainwright came close to being selected a year ago.

It is understood that Smith would have been a legitimate challenger for the position this season if he was not heading to the Barcelona Olympics, but Wainwright has been struggling for runs and could lose out to somebody like Archer.

Allen Richardson, who was an opener for St. George's for seven years until 1983, joined Wendell in three impressive opening stands while playing for St.

David's in the Eastern Counties Cup last year and could well be approached by the St. George's skipper.

"I would have to consider it if I was asked, but I would be very surprised if I was asked,'' said Richardson. "In fact I would be just as surprised as the year when I was dropped.'' Andre Manders would not have mind if Archer was trying out at Somerset. "Like the average West Indian batsman, Archer has good batting technique and is quite aggressive. To be truthful we need a batsman like him,'' he said.

But there are few openings at Somerset with Ricky Hill expected to return after missing last year's game through suspension. Last year's openers Olin Jones and Dexter Basden will be challenging once again for their spots, the latter enjoying his best season as an opener.

One newcomer Somerset have challenging for an early-order batting spot as well is Police skipper Ferdinand Thorne.

The Cup Match clubs are slowly planning their trial matches. Somerset have already had one against the Bermuda national team and are tentatively set to play another on Saturday while St. George's will play their first trial on Saturday against St. David's.

St. George's v St. David's on Saturday: Wendell Smith (capt.), Eugene Foggo, Clay Smith, Dennis Archer, Glenn Smith, Clevie Wade, David Adams, Dean Minoras, Del Hollis, Clarkie Trott, Kenny Phillips. Reserves: Gary Williams, Troy Hall.

DENNIS ARCHER -- Will appear in his first trial match for St. George's.