Regardless of the outcome, Saturday's Eastern Counties final will mark the end of Allen Richardson's career in the competition.

The veteran St. David's batsman will return to the St. David's team as captain after his absence last year, but at the end of the season he is planning to retire.

"I don't have the motivation any more,'' admitted the 38-year-old who made his Counties debut 25 years ago as one of the youngest colts ever at the age of 14.

The highlight of his Counties career came in 1992 when he scored the 13 runs needed to become only the second player behind Noel Gibbons to reach 1,000 runs in the competition. Gibbons reached that milestone in 1983.

"Although people tell me I'm still young, I have been playing for a long time,'' Richardson said this week. "I don't enjoy it like I used to.'' Today marks the third anniversary of the dethroning of St. David's by Bailey's Bay as Eastern Counties champions and Richardson will be the third captain since 1994 to be handed the task of trying to win back the cup.

To go out a winner would be the best send-off he could ask for, but Richardson is fully aware of the tough assignment on hand.

"That would be nice to finish off on a winning note, but win, lose or draw I've had enough,'' said Richardson who pointed to other priorities such as his family and his new job as Recreational and Student Activities manager at the Bermuda College. "Some Sundays it's very difficult to get up and play, and to train I have to push myself.'' Regardless of Saturday's outcome, the Eastern Counties will be played in St.

David's next year after the four clubs agreed on the change earlier this year.

To be involved in all three matches next year at Lord's has great appeal to the St. David's community who see the Counties as part of their culture.

On what will be a good batting strip St. David's will have to choose a bowling attack strong enough to bowl out the champions...something which they haven't managed to do in the last two years.

When the St. David's selectors meet on Thursday night at least two changes will be made with Richardson and James Pace returning. But there are many other possibilities, with a few guest players being considered.

The first of them to be inked in will be Cup Match star Albert Steede while consideration will also be given to St. George's pair Herbie Bascome and his brother-in-law Gregg Foggo who was born in St. David's. As nephew of former player Vance (Super) Fox, Foggo has close ties with St. David's.

"They put his name forward (for confirmation of eligibility) a month before the first County which is part of the regulations,'' explained Eastern Counties official Stephen Douglas who is in charge of verifying players' eligibility.

One certain change to last year's team is the removal of opening batsman Wendell Smith who has already ruled himself out as he will be off the Island while paceman Dale Fox, who hasn't played regularly this season, could lose his spot.

Also in line for a recall is spinner Reginald Pitcher and veteran batsman Anthony Foggo while Lionel Cann and Sammy Robinson were due back on the Island last night and will be trying to retain their places.

Cann has been playing this season in Scotland while Robinson spent a month on a training course at Lord's in London. It is not known if Del Hollis will return from his Scottish team for the match.

"There is a possibility he will be back and if he is he will be given every consideration,'' assured the captain.

"It is very difficult to leave out a guy who is probably the best of the off-break bowlers.'' So deep is the pool to pick from that some good players will certainly miss out on selection. No doubt there is more enthusiasm around the team now than earlier in the season when they defaulted a match because of a shortage of players.

Former captain George Cannonier came out to lend a hand after the St. David's team pulled out of the Commercial League.

However, Cannonier, now in his 40s and not having played in the Counties since 1993, is not believed to be in line for a recall.