If the St. George's pitch responds to spin -- and it usually does -- Somerset will have a distinct advantage in Cup Match.

So says St. George's groundsman Mansfield Smith, who was surprised to see the champions pick just one spinner, Arnold Manders, while Somerset opted for three quality slow bowlers in Dwayne Leverock, Hasan Durham and Del Hollis.

Over the years the wickets at Wellington Oval have favoured the team's bowling strength, spin, where Maxwell Curtis, Eugene Foggo and David Adams excelled.

But this year with Foggo ruled out through injury, the selectors chose not to recall wrist spinner Adams. And with Clay Smith dropped, that leaves Manders to carry the slow bowling responsibilities on his broad shoulders.

"It has always taken spin and what I've done is cut it real low and try to make it harder and faster so it would seam more because we have three strike bowlers,'' said Smith this week.

"With Lionel Cann, Mark Ray and Clevie Wade we have six seamers so I have to get it to assist them.'' Smith's pitch preparation is complete and now he is hoping for good weather over the two days, though yesterday's rain is probably making people very nervous.

Smith has the wicket covered with two covers and also has the run ups protected.

"It should be okay, it's well covered,'' Smith assured.

He believes, with the total playing time equivalent to three days of cricket anywhere else, a result can be achieved, though odds favour a draw.

"With the extra time -- the first day it ends at 7.30 and the second day the 20 overs start at 6.30 -- if you count the hours in that it equals three days anywhere else in the world,'' said Smith.

"Nowhere else in the world do you go from 2.00 right through with only water breaks. Just the Friday afternoon is a full day's play anywhere else.'' Cup Match started almost 100 years ago without a mid-afternoon tea break and the two clubs have resisted introducing one.

"It's a big demand on the umpires when you think they will be out there from 2.00 until possibly 8.00 on the Friday if it goes all the way. They (the umpires) have asked for a tea break.'' When St. George's won in 1997 it marked their first victory at Wellington Oval since 1969, while Somerset last won there in 1981 when they hammered St.

George's by nine wickets. Their president Colin Smith thinks a victory for the west enders is overdue... and badly needed.

"Either way I would like to see a victory,'' said Smith. "I've watched Cup Match for 30 years non-stop and draws tend to bore people.

"That's why people call for overs and call for three days. There hasn't been a victory for Somerset down in St. George's for too long. People need to see victories and that's why it's important to Somerset to gain a victory.'' Added Mansfield Smith: "You have to think of the public, they get tired of a whole pile of draws. At least the attempt should be made by both teams to play positive cricket with the intention of winning.'' The second safe hands award will be up for grabs at Cup Match as Black Star Communications, who came up with the idea, sponsor it themselves this year.

The award is for the outstanding fielder in Cup Match, taking into cosideration quality of catches, fielding and general deportment, and was won last year by Somerset's Janeiro Tucker.

The winner will receive a round trip ticket for two to the eastern seaboard of the United States. The five member selection committee includes Cup Match commentators Randy Horton and Jim Woolridge and three ex-Cup Match players.