Clarence (Tuppence) Parfitt's achievements over the years.

The Trinidadian was especially astonished by Parfitt's unique haul of 10 wickets in a game on three occasions during his illustrious career, pulling off the feat twice in Bermuda and once in Scotland where he now resides.

Simmons didn't know too much about the former St. George's Cup Match bowler, but after being appraised he expressed how much more he was honoured to be participating in today's testimonial for Parfitt which takes place at Lord's, with the day's events starting at 10.00 a.m.

"It's an honour to come here for the first time after hearing so much about this great place, and to be involved in an event like this means that I am able to kill two birds with one stone, to visit and to be involved in an event like this,'' said Simmons.

Simmons concedes that he has never heard of any one individual taking 10 wickets like Parfitt -- calling the accomplishment "quite amazing''.

For the many local supporters of the West Indies Test team who were upset when Simmons was left out of the recent tour of England they need not worry about him becoming disillusioned because of it. In fact he seems to be more determined to regain his place in the team.

This week he celebrated a call-up to the squad for the West Indies in the forthcoming Sharjah Cup (one-day tournament) that is scheduled for the United Arab Emirates, and he is hopeful that a solid performance in the upcoming Shell-Sandals tournament in the Caribbean will further help his cause of getting get back in the Test team.

"I was a bit surprised when I was not chosen for the England tour, but it wasn't a setback. I don't have setbacks. It was just a six-month thing, now it's a matter of getting everything back in order and prepare for the next time,'' said Simmons.

"As long as you are playing and still making runs you are still in the reckoning. I never regarded myself as being out of the reckoning when not included for a tour.

"It's a good chance I will be back. We have our own tournament next year (Shell-Sandals) and the chance is always good. I will just have to do my best and what's for you will come.'' Parfitt again expressed his appreciation for the benefit match and said that he was looking forward to the occasion.

"I am grateful to Phil for accepting the invitation to come and participate, and I am also grateful to those responsible for coming up with the idea,'' said Parfitt, who will probably be bowling his feared left arm for the final time locally.

"Hopefully the event will help Bermuda cricket to go forward from here,'' he added.

Unlike in the past when he would have been guaranteed a handful of wickets, Parfitt is taking nothing for granted.

He remembers his only game this year, in July, when he laboured for 10 overs to take one for 30, that wicket coming off a reduced run-up.

"I am guaranteeing nothing in terms of taking wickets, I guess you can say it will be up to the batsmen to give me one or two,'' he said with a chuckle.

The festivities start at 10a.m. with a 20-overs game featuring veteran players from the past, one team skippered by Cal (Bummy) Symonds and the other led by Randy Horton. As many as 40 players will be involved with organiser Custerfield Crockwell promising that that each will get a chance to participate.

The main testimonial game starts at 1.30 and will see a match-up in a 40 overs game that will include many of the island's current top players. One team will be led by Wendell Smith and the other by Albert Steede...Parfitt the main attraction on one team and Simmons the star of the other.

It should be a special occasion.