TO declare or not to declare?
That is the question confronting St George and their skipper Trent Copeland on the second day of their round six first grade clash against Parramatta at Olds Kings Oval.
St George club coach Peter Jackson said a final decision on whether they continue to bat or declare will not be made until Saturday morning when they arrive at the ground.
He said the matter will be discussed with Copeland before play resumes at 10.30am.
"Under the Sydney Cricket Association rules you have about 20 minutes before play starts to let the opposition know what you are doing," Jackson said.
Saints made 7-367 by stumps after being precariously poised at 3-25.
But left-handed opener Stewart McCabe made a confidence-boosting 75 and figured in a fourth wicket partnership of 107 with man-of-the-moment Damian Bourke.
"It was good to get back into form, I needed some runs," McCabe said.
Bourke is 175 not out — his highest first grade score for Saints.
"Damian is batting well and he's becoming the man-of-steel in the middle order," McCabe said.
"Together with Ashton May they have a flint-hard mentality when they bat."
May made 56 in a fifth-wicket stand of 134 with Bourke, who made two centuries this season, scoring 492 runs at 98.4 in all formats.
May has compiled 441 runs at 55 in the three versions of the game.
McCabe, an underrated right-arm leg-spinner, could be called upon to bowl a bit on a wicket that has a reputation for taking spin.
"Olds Kings Oval wicket can turn a bit," McCabe said.
Meanwhile Sutherland will resume at 1-39 in their match against Hawkesbury at Glenn McGrath Oval.
The Sharks bowled the visitors out for 281 last weekend thanks to teenage leg spinner Devlin Malone's 6-42.
Former Test all-rounder Shane Watson is unbeaten on one.