Star cricketer Clay Smith is back in favour at St. George's Cricket Club and could find himself once again a key element of Cup Match following a two year hiatus.

Smith has been selected as a member of the Vice-President's XI to face the Charlie Marshall-led President's XI during the final trial match on Saturday at Wellington Oval, opening up the possibility for selection to face Somerset next week.

The player was recently embroiled in a row with members of the club's management committee over whether he had done enough in apologising for his actions of two years ago, when he launched a verbal tirade after being dropped from Cup Match.

Smith asserted that his submission to the management committee and a letter to The Royal Gazette expressing remorse over his comments was sufficient, but the club further demanded that he personally apologise to the general membership as well.

Now it appears that a Monday night meeting has finally resolved the matter, although St. George's president Louis (Red) DeSilva was reluctant to reveal exact details of the meeting when contacted yesterday.

However, reports reaching this newspaper told of continued discontent among various members, with some volunteers helping with the refurbishment of the club said to have downed tools in protest.

"Clay Smith has met all the requirements that the club committee - the management committee - of the St. George's Cricket Club asked of him, so he is now eligible to be selected for any team selection in the club," said DeSilva, currently busy doing his part to ensure the 100th anniversary celebration of the midsummer classic is a success.

Selection for a trial match is one thing, being chosen to actually play over the two days another, and it is the opinion of more than a few St. Georgians that Smith will only see action from the sidelines.

"St. George's might have picked him for the trial, but don't you believe that that means he's going to play," said one self proclaimed die-hard. "They might have accepted his apology, but grudges don't go away easily, especially in the East."

If selected, Smith would go in primarily as a batsman, likely to occupy a number three or four spot, but can also be called on to bowl his off-breaks if necessary.

Smith was first blamed for losing the cup to Somerset when he was captain in 1996, redeemed himself in winning it back the following year, but turned villain again in '98 when he transferred to fierce rivals St. David's in '98, consequently being dropped from the Cup Match side which prompted his outburst.

Smith could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, omitted from either trial outfit was last year's vice-captain Dean Minors, leaving a hole to be filled at wicket-keeper, with Glenn Blakeney, Chris Foggo and Jason Anderson the likely candidates to fill the position.

Opening batsman Dexter Smith, who now lives in England, where he plays for Southern Railway in a Saturday league, has returned to fight to retain his place.