produce a batting wicket which will give some assistance to the slow bowlers, Cup Match groundsman Mansfield Smith stated last night.

The wicket at Wellington Oval showed some inconsistent bounce during the final trial but Smith assures the strip will be okay for the two days.

"It should take a lot of spin and with (David) Adams and (Arnold) Manders it should be a plus for us,'' Smith explained.

The weather today will determine how much work can be put into the wicket today, as Smith plans to use the light roller during the day and then the heavier one this evening. Plenty of water was put on the wicket yesterday.

"With the elements the way they are a lots depends on the weather tomorrow (today),'' said Smith. "From this stage it's a process of getting the wicket hard.

"Regardless of the weather the wicket is going to take spin. There should be a lot of turn on the second day.'' Cup Match will signal a special achievement for two players, Charlie Marshall of St. George's and Jeff Richardson of Somerset, for both also made the Bermuda team which toured England in June with the Bermuda team.

Marshall, who is still remembered for his record 100 not out on his debut in 1980, returns to the classic after a two year absence as the island's top batsman this season.

Richardson has been rewarded for some fine performances in the trial matches at Somerset, though he had always wanted to play for St. George's.

After trying unsuccessfully for the past decade to make the St. George's team, Richardson was finally persuaded to try his luck with the west enders while he was in England.

"When I went on tour to England a few comments were passed on to me but I won't say by whom,'' Richardson said. "Plus my brother (Wayne) and I talked about it so it was a family decision.'' Richardson, 33, is seen as the man to quicken the scoring in the middle order for Somerset, the same role James Pace had last year, but he doesn't want to be referred to as a slugger.

"One of the things I learned in England is that you can score quickly without hitting across the line,'' he explained. "This is one of my better seasons.

I've made runs before but the quality of the runs is better, I'm batting longer and not hitting across the line but through the `V'.

Richardson admits he is eagerly awaiting his first appearance in Cup Match, wondering how the atmosphere will affect him. "I've talked to Noel (Gibbons) extensively about it,'' he revealed. "One advantage I have is going in as a seasoned veteran.'' Marshall credits his impressive season to the challenge from coach Doug Ferguson to be more responsible. "He mentioned that since I was one of the senior players I should consider trying to be more responsible and act like a senior player,'' Marshall explained.

Marshall explained that batting with a tennis ball at his job at the St.

George's Community Centre helped improve his game.

"I asked the kids to throw a tennis ball to me and it made a difference on my batting. I gave some kids a couple of dollars if they hit my wicket or I would buy them something to eat.'' MANSFIELD SMITH.