mid-summer classic with champions Somerset after watching his club's victory last year from the sidelines.

The allrounder, who was arguably Somerset's most consistent performer during a five-year spell prior to his decision to sit out last year, will play in a trial match today.

And Dexter Basden, his skipper and elder brother, said he was excited about the prospects of having Richard back in the team.

"Richard said he's coming back and that's good news for us,'' said the man who led Somerset to a thrilling victory a year ago.

While Basden's Cup Match experience could prove invaluable, chairman of the selectors Ricky Swan said there was no guarantee he would make the final eleven.

However, working in his favour will be the absence of top batsmen Andre Manders and Jeff Richardson, both of whom have told the club they are not available for selection.

"Andre indicated last year that he wasn't going to be coming back and there has been no indication that he'll change his mind. Jeffrey isn't training but he is assisting us at training,'' said Swan.

"We are looking to keep the nucleus of players we had last year. We had a winning squad a year ago and as long as those players are still in good form we would like to give them the chance to hold their spot. But the fact remains that at least two replacements have to be found.'' Swan conceded that few `outsiders' had shown any interest in challenging for a Cup Match place.

"We do what we normally do which is send out a few invitations to players we feel would be interested in playing Cup Match. But I wouldn't say anybody new is up here training right now,'' he said.

Somerset have more immediate problems in finding dates to squeeze in at least three trial matches. The club don't want to be caught short as they were a year ago when only one trial match took place -- the customary inter-club final on the Saturday before the game.

Swan noted today's trial would clash with the Western Counties Cup first round match at White Hill between Somerset Bridge and Warwick but said his club had been left with no alternative.

"With the Youth Tournament coming up our choices are becoming very limited and we really want to squeeze in a couple of matches when we can find any free dates,'' said the chairman.

St. George's trial -- Page 15