St.George's ended what has arguably been the most tumultuous build-up ever to the selection of their Cup Match team on Saturday by making four changes to last year's side.

And surprisingly two of three players -- Lionel Cann and Dale Fox -- were included after having been told last week they would be omitted because of non-payment of club dues. The third, Dean Minors, was not considered.

Axed were veteran all-rounder Arnold Manders and fast bowler Clarkie Trott while brought back into the line-up were former skipper Wendell Smith, Fox, David Adams and Glenn Smith who will keep wicket.

In addition to Manders and Trott, missing from last year's team are Minors and Kenny Phillips, the latter having not challenged for a place this year.

The team is as follows: Graham Fox (capt), Clevie Wade (vice capt), Dexter Smith, Wendell Smith, Clay Smith, Charlie Marshall, Glenn Smith, Lionel Cann, Eugene Foggo, David Adams, Dale Fox. Reserves: Lewis Foggo, Cleon Scotland.

Mansfield Smith, club president and acting selection committee chairman, said there were no major headaches in making the final selection.

"It's a good team, one with a lot of depth and capable of successfully defending the trophy,'' said Smith. "The bowling doesn't appear to be that great, but Dale Fox can be a match winner, Adams can be, and so can Wade. Cann has been known to pick up a few wickets and if Somerset try to attack us Eugene Foggo can pick up wickets also.'' President Smith admitted the past week had been a difficult period for the club because of the controversy surrounding unpaid fees.

On Thursday, management had taken a decision to have three players -- Minors, Cann and Fox -- excluded from selection for their failure to meet the fees deadline. Then the name of Clarkie Trott was also added when it was learned that he too had not paid his dues.

But later management altered their decision after players asked them to reconsider.

It was during a hastily arranged meeting at 1 p.m. that the club finally decided to allow Cann, Fox and Trott to be reinstated. But the committee stood by their decision to omit Minors for reasons not divulged.

However, word is that since Minors played soccer last season and did not respond to management's request to pay his dues, he "deserved'' some sort of punishment.

Smith admitted that after a frustrating day, members on Saturday night eventually accepted the presentation of the team "with mixed feelings.'' "Most were concerned about the absence of Lewis Foggo who has done most of the wicketkeeping for our Premier Division team this season as well as that of Minors, but I've experienced previous occasions when there was far more criticism over a team selection,'' said Smith.

Members were worried about the controversy over unpaid dues and management have promised to present new recommendations at the upcoming annual general meeting to help alleviate future problems.

"It's a must because we must not let something like this handicap us in the future. Nothing of this magnitude has happened to our club prior to Cup Match, it has been a major distraction,'' said Smith.

Glenn Smith, meanwhile, assured himself a place in the team with an unbeaten 111 for the Vice President's XI in their draw against the President'x XI.

Smith's fine knock helped the Vice President's reach 244 for six with the left-hander stroking 12 fours and two sixes in approximately 195 minutes. Dean Minors struck 51 (five fours and two sixes), skipper Arnold Manders and Clevie Wade 16 apiece. Clarkie Trott took two for 62 off 21 overs.

The President's XI replied with 143 for nine with Dexter Smith scoring 29, Wendell Smith 28 (batting for 95 minutes), Lewis Foggo 27 not out and Clarkie Trott 21. Dale Fox took five for 43 off 15 overs and three maidens while Jermaine Outerbridge had two for 19.