David's open the defence of their Eastern Counties title against Flatts today at Lord's (10 a.m.).

The fact that Flatts have picked four guest players with bowling capabilities has been noticed by St. David's captain James Pace. And while the experienced Mackie and Brandon Woolridge may be missing for the first time in many years, Flatts still have potential match-winners.

"I don't take any team for granted,'' said Pace yesterday. "Flatts have four outsiders and all of them are bowlers, so they definitely intend to bowl us out. But I feel we have a strong enough team to defend the cup.'' Pace, in his first season as St. David's captain, declined to comment on the recent controversy over his stance on colleagues Anthony Foggo and Del Hollis.

Pace reportedly made it clear he did not want either in his Eastern Counties team.

While the rift with Foggo is more a personality clash, Hollis' banishment stems from pre-season when the national team spinner made a late decision to stay with Cleveland after Pace announced plans for him to his vice-captain at St. David's.

Foggo, who plays with Western Stars in the league, has been chosen in the St.

David's team for today's first-round encounter.

Pace said: "I'm satisfied with the team. As long as the team is behind me it makes my job easier.'' With Wendell Smith not available, the St. David's saw the importance of an experienced, and in form, batsman at the top of their batting order, which was the logic behind Foggo's inclusion.

He will likely open the batting with Allen Richardson, though Shea Pitcher is another option. With Albert Steede, Pace, Phillip Pitcher and Lionel Cann to follow the St. David's batting still looks strong though there is a noticeably longer `tail' this time.

Last year St. David's beat Flatts by eight wickets in the second round after Flatts declared at 195 for seven. Either way they go Flatts still face the task of bowling out St. David's to win the match and in colt Anthony Edwards of Devonshire Rec, Gary Brangman of Western Stars and Maxwell Lawrence they have three very capable bowlers.

Another colt, Vivian Simons of Willow Cuts, and Dwayne Leverock will share the slow bowling duties though both will also be relied upon to produce with the bat in the middle order.

St. David's have left out problematic fast bowler Dale Fox from their bowling attack, which increaes the burnde on vice-captain Herbie Bascome and Lionel Cann.

Injury-prone Ken Pitcher will share the new ball for the champions with Bascome while veteran George Cannonier is another bowling option with his left-arm medium-pacers. Skipper Pace and Allen Richardson can provide a twin off-spin threat of sorts.

League cricket takes another break this weekend for the first round of the Knockout Cup, which sees champions Bailey's Bay taking on Southampton Rangers at Sea Breeze Oval in their opening match.

However, the top match of the day will be at Wellington Oval where St.

George's take on Western Stars, the top two teams in the Premier Division standings. This match will be a prelude to their league meeting on August and St. George's will be seeking revenge for their Camel Cup semifinal loss to Stars in May, their only defeat so far in the 1993 season.

Another high-riding team in the league, Cleveland, travel to the east end to meet St. David's, which means that three of the top matches tomorrow will be in the east.

Willow Cuts are at home to Somerset in a west-end derby while Somerset Bridge entertain Hamilton Parish in the other match in the west.

Schedule: St. David's v Cleveland; Flatts v PHC; Warwick v Devonshire; Social Club v Police; St. George's v Western Stars; Willow Cuts v Somerset; Somerset Bridge v Hamilton Parish; Bailey's Bay v Southampton.

JAMES PACE -- "... we have a strong enough team to defend the cup.''