Somerset have the bodies, determination and formula to defeat St. George's and return the Cup Match trophy to the west end...so says club president and chairman of selectors Colin Smith.

With a starting team containing a bevy of all-rounders, Smith yesterday looked forward to tomorrow and Friday as a coronation for captain Albert Steede and his charges.

"By all means (we will win). If we didn't think we were going to win we wouldn't have chosen the team we have,'' said a confident Smith. "We've chosen this team with the obvious idea of winning the cup. That's what we focus on...winning.'' Critics, however, have pointed to the fact that practically the same outfit -- aside from two mandatory changes -- went to Wellington Oval a year ago and were promptly embarrassed in the first innings by the home side -- dismissed for 128 batting first.

Somerset fought back to save the match with Janeiro Tucker producing a gritty unbeaten century, Dexter Basden notching 77 and Steede 60 in reaching 326 in the second innings, but showed few signs of having what it takes to win.

Smith though was unmoved, noting team selection and winning to involve more than just talent and ability.

"We're trying to build for the future, rather than just win the game,'' continued Smith. "We want to have a team that is in complete harmony with one another, and that's how they will win the game, by being in sync with one another and taking the game to St. George's.'' One of those that will be charged with putting pressure on the champions is Francis Richardson, set to fulfil a lifelong dream as he is set to take the new ball with Wendell White. And after years of toiling in obscure mediocrity at perennial cellar dwellers Somerset Bridge, Cup Match must appear as absolute heaven.

However, Richardson, has been injured recently and doesn't even figure among the top 30 of the Premier League bowling averages, although on his day he can generate pace to trouble the sturdiest bat.

"Francis is not really a surprise,'' said Smith. "He's very dedicated and committed to playing for Somerset (league team) and playing for Somerset's Cup Match team. And through the dedication and hard work that he puts in -- a hundred percent -- all the time, the guy deserves his place.'' The story is similar for the other colt in the side, Leon (Cubba) Place, who finally earned the starting nod in the absence of fellow all-rounder and fan favourite Richard Basden.

Basden was initially included in the final trial, but pulled out as his wrist injury was not sufficiently healed for him to participate.

Said Smith: "We had to try and go with an all-rounder and Leon was the all-rounder that we went with.

"We've gone with an all round team and looked for guys who can do not only one thing, but three things and you have to have that. We've tried to look at all those sort of avenues in order for a player to go out there and produce what we're asking of them.

"We stack up equally, if not better in comparison to St. George's. It's now up to the players to show that they are better on those two days.

"They know what they can do and what it will take to produce a win for us and they have to do that for themselves and Somerset. ..they have to know that they can win.'' There remains concern regarding the fitness of wicketkeeper Kwame Tucker, who has been bothered by back problems in recent weeks. However, Smith confirmed the youngster to have passed extensive fitness tests performed by the team physio.

"Kwame came through the physical 100 percent and I'm confident he can hold for the two days.'' With capable bats down to number 10, scoring should not be a problem for the home side, rather it will be a heavy burden placed upon the shoulders of a varied attack featuring four medium to fast bowlers and two premier spinners.

And it may be in the fingers of the latter that the die ultimately rests. For if the pace attack of Richardson and Wendell White fails to make early inroads, Hassan Durham and Dwayne Leverock must.

No Cup Match is complete without the men in the middle and this year will see umpire Lester Harnett make his debut alongside Wilbur Pitcher. Stand-by for the match will be George Francis.

Kwame Tucker: Questions persist over whether the young 'keeper's troublesome back will hold up over two days of Cup Match.