off the tongue when compiling a list of players to compete for the national squad.

But when peers ignore his accomplishments in favour of others not having nearly as much hitched upon their resume, Smith draws the line.

Such was the case yesterday, as Smith took exception to Allen Richardson's backing of Treadwell Gibbons for an opening batsman slot on the Bermuda squad to begin training for the ICC Trophy, next year in Malaysia.

"I have no objection to Treadie at all, I think that he is a fine cricketer and would be a good choice,'' said Smith, who proved his authenticity during the 1994 tournament in Kenya, topping the Bermuda batting in average (56.00), aggregate (392) and had the highest individual score (110).

"The problem that I have is with Allen -- and that is unfortunate -- because for the past two years Allen has not stepped forward to say `Well, what has happened With Dexter Smith? Why has Dexter Smith not played for Bermuda since March, 1994?'.

"There has been no sign of Allen Richardson, but Treadie has had one good season and less than two months after the end of the season he (Richardson) has thrown himself wholly and solely behind him.'' Smith was included in a June tour of England only to be discarded prior to the squad's travels to Guyana for the Shell/Sandals tournament. Richardson, a former Cup Match captain and one of the Island's top opening batsman, is not on the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control selection committee and his championing for a particular player should not have any bearing on who the selectors.

But Smith argued that "People go a lot on what they see and this was carried on the front page of the newspaper.'' He was referring to the period before the Kenya tour, when Richardson was the one being trumpeted -- and was selected despite not being named to the original squad of 25-30.

"Not only was he on the squad, he was promoted in terms of preference over at least three others who had been trying out all along, which included myself, Dexter Basden and Olin Jones.'' Smith denied that he has used his role as sports editor for the Mid Ocean News to lobby his own cause, saying that it was only among letters written by those outside the media that his plight might be featured.

"There is no way I can influence, because if anybody is going to be hurt in terms of players being promoted ... it's going to be me, because I'm going to be the least written about or the least interviewed.

"I'm not going to interview myself. But I will interview all my rivals and I have, but you very rarely see anything about Dexter Smith unless Dexter Smith goes out there and makes runs.''