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A look at how the St George's team performed at Cup Match 2007 by James Whittaker.

Lionel Cann

39 runs

A quick-fire 39 was Cann's major contribution to the east end cause. The talented all-rounder brought the usual fireworks with the bat, during his brief stay at the crease.

But while aggression and flair personified his batting style, caution and pragmatism were the hallmarks of his captaincy.

The rain and Somerset's slow over-rate were undoubtedly key factors in the match ending a draw.

But Cann's decision to bat until almost 4:30pm on day two, made the slim prospect of a result impossible.

Cann has come in for some flack for batting so long, but in fairness to him a result was never likely with so much rain about, and allowing Pitcher a shot at a century was a fairly noble incentive.

The skipper also claims he had written off the chance of a result when rain delayed the start of play on Friday until after 2pm and was going for the 'moral victory' of making Somerset follow-on (see his column on page 34).

OJ Pitcher

94 runs, 2 for 35 from 7 overs

Pitcher became the first player in Cup Match history to be out in the nervous 90s twice. But, contrary to popular opinion, it's a record he should be proud of.

To be top scorer (and probably MVP) in consecutive classics is an impressive achievement. The St. David's islander played another exemplary innings and looks set to be the fulcrum of St. George's middle-order for years to come. There's plenty of time for him to get a Cup Match hundred.

He bowled well too, slowing the run-rate, as Janeiro Tucker and Dean Stephens went on the rampage and eventually frustrated both Somerset's big bats into giving him their wicket.

Oronde Bascome

24 runs, two catches

Played a sensible and dogged innings in difficult conditions on the first day to all but eliminate Somerset's chances of victory.

A score of 24 may not look much, but Bascome played his role in an impressive opening stand with Chris Foggo. The west-enders tactic of fielding first in overcast conditions on a slick pitch depended on them taking early wickets.

But, while Foggo played his shots, Bascome defied the Somerset pacers and helped set the foundation for St. George's total. He also took a couple of smart catches.

Chris Foggo

59 runs, one catch

Raced to an impressive half-century and was looking well set for a big score when he fell victim to a perfectly executed slower ball from Malachi Jones.

Played some fine shots in his score of 59 and could soon be challenging for a spot in the national team.

Foggo performed well behind the stumps and took the safe hands award for his brilliant catch to dismiss Stephen Outerbridge.

Delyone Borden

0 runs, 1 for 67 off nine overs

Felt the brunt of Somerset's onslaught as Janeiro Tucker and Dean Stephens went for broke on Friday night.

The young spinner has been a top performer in the last couple of Cup Matchs, but there was little he could do as Tucker and Stephens, with nothing to lose, went on the attack on a good batting track. He did claim one wicket, having Azeem Pitcher caught by close fielder Oronde Bascome, but finished with figures of one for 67 from nine overs. Add in a duck with the bat and this was a game to forget for Borden, as it was for most of the spinners.

George O'Brien

Did not bat, 2 for 84 off 12 overs

The central figure when St. George's won back the cup here two years ago, he huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the Somerset house down. After picking up 18 wickets in his first two classics, the east-end game plan relied on him to demolish the opposition once again.

And when he disposed of Stephen Outerbridge with his second ball of the day it looked like it might just happen. But, in truth, he and his fellow bowlers were not left enough time to do serious damage. And the ultra-attacking fields they set in pursuit of quick wickets left gaps, which the top order exploited.

Arthur Pitcher

8 runs, 0 for 27 off 4 overs, two catches

Pitcher had little opportunity to make an impression in this match, bowling just four overs. With two hours to bowl Somerset out twice he and his fellow bowlers were on a hiding to nothing.

He did okay with the bat, but had little opportunity at the tail end of St. George's innings to make his mark.

Charlie Marshall

30 runs

The ageless Marshall played only a cameo role in this year's Cup Match, peppering the boundary on his way to a super-fast 30. He was at the wicket for just 18 balls. Along with Smith and Cann he pushed the pedal to the metal as St. George's accelerated the pace of their innings on Thursday afternoon. Even as he approaches 50, he remains one of Cup Match's biggest hitters.

Clay Smith

62 runs

Deservedly became the third batsman in history to score 1,000 Cup Match runs with a polished knock of 62.

He admitted he took his eye off the ball with a fourth century in the classic in sight, but continued his brilliant recent form and showed he still has plenty to offer for St. George's.

There's been plenty of talk about Clay's retirement, not least from the batsman himself, but if he is only in his mid thirties (Charlie Marshall is more than a decade older) and could be around for a while yet. Class and experience like that will be hard to replace.

Rodney Trott

9 runs, 1 for 51 off seven overs

The young spinner has been mesmerizing this season in the Premier League, but couldn't replicate that form in tough conditions on Friday afternoon.

His figures took a pounding as Somerset forced the pace, pouncing on anything loose. He did pick up the wicket of Jekon Edness, chasing a wide, turning delivery outside off-stump, but was unable to force a breakthrough after that.

James Celestine

0 runs

After a season of unprecedented success, Celestine had to have a bad innings some time. Unfortunately for him it came on his Cup Match debut. Who knows if the atmosphere and the occasion got to him as it has to many a colt in classic's past? But coming into this game with an average of 111 for the season, the West Indian will have been desperately disappointed to fall for a duck. And with the match reduced to a one-innings affair he didn't get chance to redeem himself.[[In-content Ad]]

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