will be missing from this year's summer classic because of a commitment to St.

David's' tour of England.

The Eastern Counties champions are taking part in the Millennium Tournament in Durham, starting on July 27. And included in the recently announced tour party are three players who played last year -- Del Hollis of Somerset and St.

George's pair Lionel Cann and Chris Foggo.

Two others who would have been strong contenders for recalls after being dropped last year -- Glenn Blakeney and Sammy Robinson -- are also in the squad which heads to England ahead of the final trial match.

Three left-handers are now looking to advance their claims with Cup Match champions St.George's, with former captain Graham Fox having come to the fore of late with some good scores in his first season back with the club. Sinclair Gibbons, a regular number three this season, has also impressed and could be given serious consideration.

The other candidate looking to occupy now retired Arnold Manders' middle-order spot is his Western Stars clubmate Cleon Scotland who hit a dogged half-century to save his side from sure defeat against Police in the Central Counties final recently.

Scotland is recovering from a broken finger which he received in that same match and is anxious to return to playing as quickly as possible. His return could be against St. George's this weekend in the Knockout Cup quarter-finals.

Ryan Steede, who earned selection two years ago as a bowler, has been coming into his own with the bat this season and could push for a recall.

There aren't expected to be many changes in the St. George's bowling department, with Gary Brangman changing his mind about retiring and now playing again with Western Stars.

Continued on page 19 Cup Match contenders Continued from page 17 Last year Brangman was part of a three-prong seam attack which included Herbie Bascome and Clarkie Trott and with few spin options, a fourth seamer, left-armer Gregg Foggo, could also force himself into the reckoning.

OJ Pitcher, who is skipping the St. David's tour in order to make a bid for a Cup Match, is also in the running for a middle order spot, with his medium pace bowling a useful commodity.

Eugene Foggo missed out on selection last year because of an injury and has only just returned from another injury. His spin bowling will be looked upon favourably -- especially with Manders retiring and David Adams not playing this season -- while he can also open the innings.

Somerset have to replace one of their spinners, Del Hollis, who is travelling with St. David's, with allrounder Leon Place, formerly of Devonshire Rec., making a strong claim in his second season as a league player with the club.

Corey Hill of Bailey's Bay is a strong candidate for a recall, as is his older brother Ricky. Another league player hoping to claim a bowling spot is strike bowler David Gibbs, while his club-mate, Francis Richardson, recently pulled a muscle in his leg which has slowed him up.

Club president Colin Smith described injured allrounder Richard Basden as "day to day'' as he recovers from a fractured finger suffered in late May.

"The cast is supposed to come off three weeks before Cup Match,'' said Smith.

"The team is shaping up pretty good, the guys are out training and seem pretty enthusiastic. It's just that we have to speak to them about being committed and putting their heart into it for Somerset.

"That's some of the problems we've had over the past couple of years, where guys are playing just to say they played Cup Match. That's one of the reasons why we'll probably be looking at a couple more league players.'' Cordell Gilbert is one of those league players, though he will face a tough job trying to dislodge present wicketkeeper Kwame Tucker.

Two other players, Bailey's Bay pair Jermaine Warner and Stephen Outerbridge, missed the dealine for paying their dues which makes them ineligible.

The club is trying to arrange a second trial match before the final trial on July 29. The date they are considering is July 22 which is also the day for the first round of the Eastern Counties.

The following players will travel with St. David's to England on July 27: Glenn Blakeney, Delyone Borden, Aaron Burchall, Lionel Cann, Chris Foggo, Dale Fox, Del Hollis, George O'Brien, Chris Pitcher, Philip Pitcher, Allen Richardson, Sammy Robinson, Clay Smith. Manager is Delby Borden.

Missing out: Lionel Cann hits out for St. George's in last year's Cup Match, but he will be one of several players absent for this year's classic, on a St.

David's tour.