Dear Sir,

Please allow me to register my absolute disgust at the decision by the St. George's Cup Match selectors to select Clay Smith for their Cup Match team.

Let me declare that even though I am a Somerset supporter, I am a great admirer of Clay Smith who in my opinion is one of only two great players still playing the game, the other being Southampton Rangers superstar Janeiro Tucker.

St. George's selectors should be arrested and charged with cruel and unusual punishment for selecting this living legend to play two days of cricket in the hot sun in his present condition. I mean the man can hardly walk.

I don't think his 'wonky' knee will stand up to the test and I would hate to see the great man carrying this injury for the rest of his life.

He has been a great servant to Bermuda cricket and it would be a shame to see him go out of Cup Match aggravating his injury and with two ducks – the dreaded 'golden pair' he is sure to get this Thursday and Friday.

Now to Somerset, the team selected is an excellent one, but I was pleasantly surprised by the recall of Del Hollis and Sammy Robinson. In my opinion Sammy should never have been dropped, and Del will form a lethal spin combination with Hasan Durham. Del has been bowling well this season as Bailey's Bay found out in Eastern Counties.

He's always been considered something of a 'dark horse' but I believe this will be his year. Don't be surprised if he takes 10 wickets in the match.

He and Hasan will give the St. George's batsmen a lot to think about. You know what they say about great spinners – 'they are like fine wine, they get better with age'.

St. George's supporters must understand that Somerset Cup Match captain Jacobi Robinson has the ability to inspire his team by his own individual performance.

He is a talented all-rounder who has the ability to take wickets or make quick runs. If he gets off in Cup Match, look out!

On a more serious note, as I read Clay Smith's column on Friday, it confirmed my belief that for one reason or another domestic cricket on the Island, particularly at club level is being neglected.

The Bermuda Cricket Board should address this as soon as possible.

I believe the time has come for the BCB to put into place a committee that deals strictly with domestic cricket. They would be responsible for coming up with programmes that would enhance our domestic game and their mission should be to strengthen club cricket.

I recognise that most people are more attracted to the glamour of international cricket but in order for a cricketing nation to have strong team, they must also have a good domestic programme, one need only look at Australia and England.

RECMAN