responsibilities will be placed on the shoulders of the five colts this year, Lionel Cann and Dexter Smith of St. George's and Somerset trio Allan Brangman, Anthony Manders and Wayne Richardson.

The bowlers in particular are all potential match-winners and considering Somerset's bowling doesn't have any real depth, speedster Brangman and spinner Richardson will have plenty of bowling to do.

Just how quickly they overcome their Cup Match jitters will be a key factor for the tension of a first Cup Match can be overbearing.

Cann is one colt who has some idea of what to expect, having played in the Eastern Counties since the age of 14 years and three months -- the youngest in that competition.

Anybody who knows his character knows that he dwells on the big match atmosphere and loves a challenge whether with a bat in his hand or a ball.

"I've been through pressure my whole life,'' said the allrounder who is still only 20 year old.

Cann will be given the responsibility of opening the St. George's bowling with Kenny Phillips and will bat in the middle order, possibly at seven, depending on the state of the game.

"I'm a swing bowler so I'll get it (ball) early,'' says Cann. "I would enjoy taking the new ball as a colt.'' Cann has shown himself to be a promising allrounder and got a call-up to the St. George's team because of some impressive performances with both the bat and ball.

"I'm looking at at least a 14 year commitment to St. George's,'' he says.

"I'm starting to take cricket very seriously and have settled down and matured a lot.'' Cann is a dashing batsman by nature but says he can also play a cautious innings when called upon. "If the team is in trouble don't expect to see any aggressive batting,'' he warned. "I'll only be aggressive when the team is not in trouble.'' Dexter Smith, the other St. George's colt, will be relied upon to lay the foundation to a big St. George's score. He has shown to have the temperament for the big occasion, having scored the only 50 against English team Derbyshire earlier this year and then cementing his place in the St. George's team with an equally fine 62 in the last trial on Saturday.

The first few overs will be critical for the 32-year-old Smith but if he is allowed to settle he should provide the crowd with some exciting batting. From years of playing table tennis he has the ability to pick up the flight of the ball very quickly and will punish anything loose.

Smith's decision to leave last year's champions Western Stars to join St.

George's in the league paid off with selection to the Cup Match team for the first time.

His former Stars teammates Brangman and Wayne Richardson are also both eagerly awaiting their first appearances in Cup Match.

"I'm just going to St. George's to play cricket....come what may,'' said Richardson.

"I don't know about any pressure being on me. The only goal is to win Cup Match.'' As with the Manders family, this Cup Match represents a special moment for the Richardson family with both Jeff and Wayne playing in Cup Match together for the first time.

"I appreciate the faith Somerset have put in me and it will be a great pleasure to play in Cup Match with my brother,'' said the younger Wayne.

Jeff, 34, made his debut last year and though he has not had as productive a season, he kept his place and is seen as a key man in the middle order when the challengers chase quick runs.

"I feel Somerset have done me some justice (in their selection).'' said Jeff.

"Last year I was thrown in in a situation and came up short.'' On playing alongside his brother, Jeff says: "What a lot of people don't know is that me and my little brother made a pact last year that we would come to Somerset and here we are together. He has a job to do and so do I.

"It is known that I had tried out at St. George's and then shifted my loyalties to Somerset. But this was only after consultation with my brother and we agreed together to make the move.'' Many questioned the decision to include Anthony Manders as a specialist wicketkeeper, especially with Albert Steede and Ricky Hill also capable of keeping wicket. The fact that Manders plays in the same team as Brangman and Richardson might be an advantage, especially for Richardson on a turning wicket.

WATCHING CLOSELY -- Journalist Dexter Smith whose job it is to highlight the achievement of others will be under close scrutiny himself when he makes his debut in Cup Match tomorrow.