when he takes on opposite number Clay Smith who will be making his debut as captain in this year's Cup Match at Somerset Cricket Club.

Basden, a rookie captain himself just two years ago when St. George's pulled off an exciting victory, sees Smith's leadership experience -- or lack of it -- as something he might be able to exploit.

From what he experienced in 1994, Basden knows how tough that first year as captain can be. If Smith doesn't have the mental toughness for the job Basden intends to exploit it, just as St. George's did the last time they travelled to Somerset.

"The St. George's weakness could be with their skipper who is coming off last year when he had two ducks,'' said Basden who still has vivid memories of the 1995 match.

He also remembers the one before that when, chasing 237 in the last couple of hours, St. George's pulled off a most dramatic victory.

Clay Smith was the MVP that year after knocks of 75 and 35, but Basden has other plans for him this time.

"The (St. George's) leadership is going to work in our favour,'' Basden believes. "But I know he'll get a lot of support from his brother (Wendell Smith).

"It can be difficult on the second day, especially when players drop their heads. I found it difficult but I've come back.

"If the captain is a little weak we'll definitely put him to the test.'' Basden learned from his `baptism of fire' in 1994 and is determined to bounce back even stronger as Somerset try to end their winless streak which stretches back to 1982.

"It (1994) was a good experience, I went there to win and likewise this year I'm going there to win,'' he promised.

"I've never been on a winning team.'' The only player in the Somerset team who has is former captain Andre Manders who made the first of his 13 Cup Match appearances in 1982, the year the then champions beat St. George's by six wickets.

Basden and vice captain Albert Steede are the two other most experienced players in the Somerset team, both with seven appearances.

Basden made his debut in 1988 and Steede a year later while the rest of the team -- except Roger Trott who played for the first time in 1985 -- have all made their way into the team in the last four years.

Two of them, Corey Hill and Treadwell Gibbons, are colts in this year's team, but Basden doesn't see that as a disadvantage as both are seasoned campaigners.

"We have Treaddy as a colt but he isn't a teenager, he's been around,'' said Basden.

"They are guys who are not going to freeze. Corey's a warrior whether it be in football or cricket.'' Gibbons, at 39 is the oldest colt ever in the classic, beating the 38-year-old Robert Simons of St. George's in 1985.

However, what he does bring to the game is his vast experience -- having actually tried out for St. George's 20 years ago when Dennis Wainwright was nearing the end of his career.

Back then Gibbons was one of the island's top young wicket-keepers but these days he is concentrating on his batting and his form this season warrants selection. He is the leading scorer in the league with over 700 runs.

Gibbons came in at number four for the Vice President's XI on Saturday and scored 70, but it would be a surprise if he is not asked to open the innings in Cup Match.

"I've got a few guys to choose from, but it looks like Treaddy will definitely open,'' said Basden.

The other three candidates will be the captain himself, Roger Trott and Albert Steede, Gibbons' team-mate at Western Stars.

"The first half hour will be the key, when we'll see where the game will go,'' Basden believes.

"The maturity in my side is unbelievable, it's going to make my job a lot easier. St. George's are not coming up here with a weak team, they have guys who can pile on the runs if they want. We've got to bowl them out twice to win.

"The last time we played up Somerset they gave their fans their money's worth, now I'm hoping Somerset will be the winning side.'' While Basden admits to preferring to bat first, he also knows the importance of early wickets in case the champions, with their strong batting lineup, take first strike.

"I'm definitely counting on my two opening bowlers, Roger Blades and Corey Hill, to get us off to a good start,'' he admitted.

"We're hoping to get wickets right from the start and it we can it will pave the way for the rest of the bowlers. That's what I'm banking on.

"I always like to get my runs first but either way we have a plan for batting first or fielding first.'' POINTING THE WAY -- Dexter Basden is hoping to guide Somerset to their first win since 1982.