overlooked as honourees at this month's testimonial cricket extravaganza at Lord's.

Claims to this effect circulating earlier in the week were yesterday denied by Custerfield Crockwell, chairman of the Testimonial Committee.

According to Crockwell, both individuals, who he and his committee have always felt deserving of a host of accolades for their contributions to cricket over the years, had turned down invitations to be honoured this year in the same celebrated fashion as top Bermuda bowler Clarence Parfitt was a year ago.

Hunt is a former top player and long-serving president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control while Symonds, a former top allrounder, is arguably regarded as the best and most respected captain Bermuda has ever produced.

Crockwell has decided to go public and back his committee's selection and clear up other discrepancies because so many people had voiced their concern over what they wrongly saw as a blatant disregard for the accomplishments of Hunt and Symonds.

"I would like to have the air cleared once and for all and let the public know that both of these two outstanding public figures are not being honoured this year because they declined,'' said Crockwell.

"Mr. Hunt was naturally the first we had selected and while he appreciated our intention he declined. And Mr. Symonds, who is a member of the committee, also declined, pointing out that he had been honoured on a previous occasion and consequently felt that it was more prudent to give somebody else the opportunity.'' With final details of the September 28 testimonial expected to be made at the committee's next meeting on Tuesday, very little time was left for them to approach anybody else so the decision was to honour just three individuals instead of the original four.

"We had initially had the four letters delivered to those concerned by one of our committee members. When Mr. Hunt declined we decided to proceed with the three remaining and that's where we stand today. There is nothing else to it, certainly nothing that's controversial or unfair,'' said Crockwell.

The committee is forging ahead with plans to finalise the international player or players who have agreed to be involved in the game.

Crockwell would not reveal any names but said every attempt was being made to get two recognised players from abroad, including one from the West Indies.

"We sent several invitations to Test-playing countries like the West Indies, England and a few others and we are still waiting on replies. It's now approaching the 11th hour and we must have those replies by next Tuesday or we will be forced to proceed with the one we already have confirmed from the West Indies,'' Crockwell said.