The selection of Oronde Bascome in St George’s Cup Match team has not been met with universal approval in the East End.

The former captain has been recalled to the challenger’s team despite not featuring in the final trial match at Wellington Oval at the weekend, a decision that has sparked an outcry among many of the club’s supporters.

However, Damon Walker, chairman of the St George’s selection committee, stands by the decision to include Bascome, and has dismissed criticism over his selection as “unfair”.

Walker said that Bascome was excused from the final trial because of the pending birth of his daughter overseas and had already done enough this season to warrant being recalled.

“Oronde approached the club and asked for special consideration because of the birth of his daughter, who was due around the trial and happened the day before,” Walker said.

“He flew out for the birth of his baby girl and was granted special permission because he has performed admirably this year for the club.

“He is one of our highest run scorers, and being he plays for the club he receives special consideration for that. That’s why we choose to still allow him to be eligible even though he missed the final trial.

“I think the criticism is unfair because it [Bascome’s inclusion] is not [about] who he is or anything like that.

“He has performed admirably in the league for us and has scored big runs on that strip in Somerset and also against Somerset, so all those reasons put together is why is he was considered.”

Bascome was among five players recalled to the St George’s team, the others being Lionel Cann, another former captain, Rodney Trott, Justin Pitcher and Allan Douglas Jr.

Meanwhile, another glaring omission from St George’s final trial match was Delyone Borden, who was left out because of a poor training attendance record.

“Delyone attended one training session and that was it,” Walker said.

“He never gave us any reasons or apology. All of the other players who have missed training sessions have been in contact with the club giving reasons. I have even had players say they are going through personal issues and we take that into consideration.

“I would have loved to have Delyone in the team, but it just sets a bad precedent moving forward.”

Walker admitted that dropping Kyle Hodsoll from the squad was a difficult decision to make.

Hodsoll, who was the top bowler for St George’s last year with four for 20 in the Somerset first innings, was treated for a serious knee injury he picked up playing football in November last year.

“Kyle’s injury was the main concern for us,” Walker said.

“The selectors didn’t feel confident this year with him having surgery.”

In all, the St George’s selection committee comprised of Herbie Bascome [Oronde’s father], Gary Brangman, Ryan Steede, the St George’s coach, OJ Pitcher, the captain, and Walker made six changes to the team that suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Wellington Oval last year.

After four hours of deliberation, the challengers announced their team just after 1am on Sunday.

“We made a lot of changes this year and no selector got their own way,” Walker said. “Everyone had to make a compromise and that’s why it took so long. I back my selectors and back my team. It’s a balanced team I believe can get the job done.”