in support of the Island's leading batsman.

Willow Cuts bowler Charles Symons claims Smith's five-match suspension for allegedly making comments to umpire Ronald O'Hara after he was given out lbw is unjust. And he wants the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control to reconsider their punishment, saying an Island team without him could get embarrassed in the Red Stripe Cup.

Symons admitted words were exchanged between him and Smith and a number of other players after he dismissed the St George's player, but nothing was directed at the umpire.

And he claimed the exchange was mainly banter based on a long-standing, but good-natured rivalry between them.

He said: "I was standing right next to the umpire but I never heard him say anything to him. A lot of players were shouting and carrying on so I don't think you could have heard him even if he did. We are the best of friends and I never dreamed he would get suspended.'' He said their rivalry went back to the time when Symons was a player with PHC.

"I was just a lowly bowler then but I used to get him out. Now I've moved up to Willow Cuts and I told him I was still going to get him out.

"I was just taunting him: after one ball he said to me `that's your best delivery' and I said `no, the best one will be the one that gets you out'' and then he was given out lbw.

"He may have gestured with his hands that he thought the ball was going down the legside, but what player doesn't do that?'' Symons suggested that Smith was a victim of his own success and that players enjoyed taunting him when they got him out.

"He was circled by several players and everyone was saying something. He's bound to respond, he's only human.

"He's obviously number one but I've never known Clay to boast. I think a lot of players are jealous and try to provoke him. I wish they would just try to learn from him instead.

"He's a real gent. I talk with him when we're on the field and we have a laugh about it all off the field.'' He added: "I've tried to contact BCBC president El James to find out why he was banned. If this man doesn't play in the Red Stripe I don't know what will happen.

"It's such a shame because there was talk that maybe Clay could play for the West Indies and that could have opened up a gateway for Bermuda players.'' James has refused to discuss details of the disciplinary hearing although he has expressed disappointment that top players should be involved in such incidents.

And Gladstone Brown, chairman of the BCBC's disciplinary committee, told The Royal Gazette on Monday that there was no way Smith would be considered for the Red Stripe.

Smith, an Athlete of the Year who scored two centuries in the competition last year in Jamaica, believes the Board are trying to make an example of him.

But Symons fears the worst if he is absent from the squad which this year will play their group matches in Guyana next month.

"Without him last year we would have been embarrassed,'' he said.

"There's no way he should be suspended from international cricket.''