towel and continue to fight for a place in this year's Cup Match.

Basden indicated this week that he didn't want to play under the current committee who replaced him as captain with Albert Steede. But both club coach Winston Reid and chairman of the selectors Bernard Brangman say they want him to continue to be a part of the team.

Basden's position may be clarified today when Somerset hold a trial match in which he is expected to participate.

"I would hope that Dexter and anybody else training for Cup Match will continue and make themselves available for selection,'' said Reid.

"They are all still eligible for selection and with the game so close it would make sense for everybody who has been training to continue doing so.'' Brangman agreed, adding: "As far as I am concerned Dexter Basden is still very much a part of our programme and I hope he will be involved in the trial game that we have on Saturday. He is still a great player and will have as good a chance as anybody else to make the team.'' But Basden, who was replaced by his vice-captain Steede in a surprise move this week, claimed in yesterday's Mid Ocean News that he "wasn't going to play under that selection committee''.

He was upset when word about his dismissal leaked out before he was officially informed and up until noon yesterday still had not been contacted by the commmittee.

One irate Somerset fan who called the Gazette yesterday said he took strong exception to Brangman's claims that the decision was made recently.

"They are only kidding themselves because a lot of us know that the committee made the decision two and a half months ago unbeknownst to Dexter and they only confirmed on the weekend. He should have been notified about their plans months ago and now we have this mess,'' said the long-time Somerset supporter.

"I feel it's very unfair. His record is a good one and he didn't deserve this treatment. One good thing though is that he has always said that he will play under Steede. Let's hope the manner in which he was treated by the committee doesn't change that.'' Southampton Rangers will be featured in two important matches this weekend that could put them on course for a season double.

Today they defend their Western Counties Cup title in the opening round of the competition against Somerset Bridge at White Hill (11.00 a.m.) while tomorrow they face an even stiffer test when they battle Western Stars in a Premier Division match at Southampton Oval.

Rangers are at the head of the tables but are being hotly pursued by Bailey's Bay and Stars.

For today's Counties game Rangers have included colt Ian Armstrong and guest player Dexter Smith of St. George's who has represented them for five years in the competition.

Smith helped Rangers to a nine-wicket victory over Bridge in last year's final with a knock of 54, joining opening partner Kwame Tucker (67 not out) in an impressive opening stand.

That game saw Bridge bat first and score 143 off 47 overs with David Jones hitting 39 and Arnold Manders 31. Rangers skipper Olin Jones took four for 32.

Southampton reached their winning target off just 26.2 overs.

Bridge have named three colts in Ryane Shepherd, Kevin Arorash and Perry Saunders with fast bowler Denzil Dill taking over the captaincy in place of Corvette Lambert who is attending a wedding.

Southampton: Olin Jones (capt), Janeiro Tucker (vice-capt), Kwame Tucker, Keith Wainwright, Michael Brangman, Clevie Wade, Ryan Belboda, Gary Crofton, Garry Williams, Ian Armstrong (colt), Dexter Smith. Res: David Burchall, David Saltus.

Somerset Bridge: Denzil Dill (capt), David Jones (vice-capt), Shannon Tankard, Dennis Brangman, Brian Gibbons, Leroy Brangman, Durwood Cann, Ryane Shepherd (colt), Arnold Manders, Kevin Arorash (colt), Perry Saunders (colt). Res: Robert Lambe, Malcolm Raynor, Ronald Richards.