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Edwards axed by Somerset selectors

selectors when they named their team on Saturday night.The west enders, who also dropped batsman James Pace, made four changes to last year's team --

selectors when they named their team on Saturday night.

The west enders, who also dropped batsman James Pace, made four changes to last year's team -- two of which were expected following the unavailability of fast bowler Kyle Lightbourne and spinner Bruce Perinchief.

The full team is: Andre Manders (capt), Dexter Basden (vice captain), Ricky Hill, Albert Steede, Olin Jones, Anthony Amory, Richard Basden, Jeff Richardson (colt), Janeiro Tucker (colt), Rodney Fubler, Terry Burgess.

Reserves: Dwight Basden, Toriano Davis.

The new additions are Janeiro Tucker and Jeff Richardson while Ricky Hill and Terry Burgess are former team members. All four caught the eyes of the selectors with good performances in the final trial game at Somerset on Saturday which was drawn. Scores -- President's XI: Vice President's XI 245-9, President's XI 240-6. Tucker, who was a reserve a year ago, took three wickets for 49 in 23 overs and five maidens for the President's XI while Richardson hammered 76 not out and opener Hill struck 59 before retiring. Burgess only took one for 47 but bowled with fire during his 14 overs of which two were maidens.

Olin Jones led the Vice President's pick with 94 while Albert Steede scored 47. Spinner Dwayne Leverock was the pick of their bowlers with two for 45.

"I'm basically pleased with the selection although I would have liked to have at least seen a spinner included,'' said skipper Andre Manders. "Even still I am confident that we picked a team that can give us two days of good cricket at Wellington Oval.'' He added: "Last year we did well on the first day only,'' But it may take more than two days of good cricket to win -- and to do so without a formidable bowling attack could be tougher than Somerset can imagine.

As challengers they were expected to concentrate on beefing up their bowling attack, but in the end their bowling is no stronger than a year ago when they failed to beat St. George's.

With Olin Jones dismissing doubts about his injury the team selection was made difficult. The consensus was that Jones, who hadn't been in top form anyway, would be replaced by Hill -- but when both excelled they simply earned their places.

"It came down to deciding which batsman to leave out for whatever bowler we would include, and it was tough,'' conceded Manders. "It was unfortunate that Edwards was left out, but he and Leverock and Wayne Richardson did come close to being included.'' Richardson didn't take a wicket for the President's XI but was unlucky to have had two catches put down off his bowling, both times when Jones was batting. The leg-break bowler gave up 51 runs in 20 overs with six maidens.

Edwards, who was their best pace bowler last year with three for 39, took one for 53 in 10 overs. But selectors instead went for Burgess and Rodney Fubler who also struggled with 0-49 off 12 overs with three maidens.

Perry Maybury experienced soreness in his bowling arm and did not play in the final trial.

OUT -- Opening bowler Anthony (Pacer) Edwards.

IN -- Young medium-pacer Janeiro Tucker.