surrounding former St. George's skipper Wendell Smith's decision to miss next week's Cup Match classic.

Skipper Perry Maybury was taking reports of his rival's pull-out with a grain of salt and said that it would not alter preparation by the west end club.

"If it is true that Wendell will not be playing it just means we won't have to prepare for him in the line-up.

"It's going to be a miss to (St. George's) team, but we're not getting over excited about it.

"We won't miss him at all ... we definitely won't say that we wish he was there.

"Who knows? He may do one of his remarkable recoveries and play.'' Indeed Somerset have their own problems to worry about, with no one player exactly setting the league ablaze with the bat or ball, something noted by chairman of the selectors Kevin Saunders.

He and his colleagues face a number of tough decisions as they attempt to choose a side capable of wresting the cup from champions St. George's.

Chief among them is who to take in terms of a bowling attack without seriously weakening their batting.

Under consideration is one or two spinners as well as a specialist wicket-keeper.

Wayne Richardson, Del Hollis and Bruce Perinchief have all been involved in training, but it would appear that Richardson has the inside track as he is the only one of the three included in the final trial match slated for Saturday.

Vying for a spot behind the stumps is the third Manders brother, Anthony, who keeps wicket for Richardson at Western Stars and knows his bowling style. If selected it could make for an historic moment with three brothers taking the pitch -- provided Andre and Arnold are successful in their bids.

"No position is safe,'' emphasised Saunders, himself a former player in the mid-summer spectacle. "Everybody is looking good in training and working hard for a spot.

"Throughout the league, performances have been sporadic because of the way things are set up with the 50 overs format.

"You're not getting the big scores, with guys figuring they have to hit out for quick runs. It's a lot of calypso cricket ... a lot of swiping going on.'' Definitely out of Somerset's team is hard hitting middle order batsman Anthony Amory, who seems to have fallen out of favour since the last Cup Match and has not participated in any of the trials.

He follows Devonshire Rec. teammate Anthony Edwards, who came under the axe last year and said he was retiring from the classic.

There has been constant talk of conflict between the Devonshire players and the Somerset selectors, however Saunders would not be drawn on this issue. The departure of Amory and Edwards leaves only Albert Steede and Mark Trott as possibilities for the squad, with Steede a virtual certainty while Trott's inclusion would be a major surprise.

Teams for Saturday's final trial matches: Somerset President's XI: Perry Maybury (capt), Ricky Hill, Olin Jones, Andre Manders, Janeiro Tucker, Davon Wade, Anthony Manders, Wayne Richardson, Mark Trott, Albert Steede, Alan Brangman.

Vice President's XI: Dexter Basden (capt), Ferdinand Thorne, Roger Hunt, Richard Basden, Jeff Richardson, James Swan, Cordell Gilbert, Curtis Jackson, Charles Swan, Rodney Fubler, Terry Burgess. Reserves for both teams are Toriano Davis, Garry Williams and Steval Arorash.

Players are asked to meet at club at 8.45 a.m.

St. George's President's XI: Graham Fox (capt), Arnold Manders, Charlie Marshall, Ricky Hodsoll, Greg Foggo, David Adams, Gary Brangman, Allan Douglas, Cleon Scotland, Clevie Wade, Dexter Smith. Reserves -- Uroy Fox, Sam Robinson.

Vice President's XI: Clay Smith (capt), Noel Gibbons, Glenn Smith, Lionel Cann, Eugene Foggo, Gregory Sampson, Herbie Bascome, Kenny Phillips, Troy Hall, Dean Minors, Lewis Foggo. Reserves -- Michael Kelly, Ryan Steede.

If unavailable contact Greg Foggo at 297-1550 after 5 p.m.. Players to meet at club at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

ANTHONY MANDERS -- The Western Stars wicketkeeper (right) has a good chance to follow his older brothers Arnold and Andre into the Cup Match classic.