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Who will play in this year's Cup Match?

The classic has been shorn of its stars with more than half the players who competed in last year's event in St. George either away with the national team or ineligible to play.

For the champions OJ Pitcher, MVP for the past two years, George O'Brien, the destroyer of Somerset in 2005 and wicket-keeper batsman Chris Foggo, a key player in St. George's recent victories, will not be easily replaced.

For the challengers the indomitable Dwayne 'Sluggo' Leverock, one of the true characters of Cup Match, wicket-keeper Jekon Edness and in-form Stephen Outerbridge will leave equally big holes in the Somerset line-up.

In a further blow to the West Enders chances of wresting the cup back from St George, big-hitting all-rounder Dean Stephens and off-spinner Derrick Brangman are 'ineligible' to play. The absence of so many major players has given the selectors in the east and west a much tougher job.

Opportunity

But both Mark Trott, head of the selectors at Somerset, and Lewis Foggo, head of selectors at St George's, preferred to see it as an 'opportunity' rather than a challenge.

Both have scouts at the Sir Garfield Sobers tournament in Barbados with Andre 'Doc' Manders, for Somerset, and Herbie Bascome, for St. George's, keeping a watchful eye on their Bermuda Under-18 team, which is expected to provide at least a few of the replacements for the missing stars.

The likes of fast bowler Jordan De Silva and Marcus Johnson have already declared their loyalty to Somerset but both sides are looking at skipper Terryn Fray, who has yet to declare for east or west.

"We are not panicking," said Trott.

"Cup Match is Cup Match - it ain't going to get cancelled because a few guys happen to be good enough to play for their country."

"We have a great crop of young players and we have a few that have played Cup Match before that are back, knocking on the door."

Trott would not be drawn into naming names, but the likes of Dion Stovell, who is having a good season for Southampton Rangers, youngster Chris Douglas, who impressed at the Under-19 World Cup before disciplinary issues cut short his campaign, and St. David's all-rounder Sammy Robinson are all understood to be in the frame.

Cleveland bowler Dennis Musson and St. David's' Del Hollis are also in contention.

The wicket-keepers spot looks to be a straight shoot-out between Kwame Tucker, who had the gloves in 2006, and Devonshire Rec keeper Ricky Brangman.

"We have a healthy crew of guys competing, that will make it very interesting.

"People come to Cup Match to watch the island's best players and you are always going to miss your national team stars.

"These guys have become an integral part of Cup Match but I just think it will make it exciting to see who comes in and replaces them."

Foggo was looking at it the same way.

"There's a lot of good players around who never get the opportunity to play Cup Match. It's going to give the fans a chance to see some new players and the players a chance to become stars overnight.

"Hopefully that's what happens for the good of the game."

Youngsters like Bailey's Bay leg-spinner Tre Govia. St. David's Landro Minors and Flatts bowler Regino Smith could be among those to make an instant impact as Colts.

While veterans like fast bowler Ryan Steede, hard hitting batsman Glenn Blakeney and Greg Foggo, who was one of the stars when St. George's won back the cup in 2005, are in line for recalls.

PHC wicket-keepers Jason Anderson, a stand-by selection for the national team, and Fiqre Crockwell will be the main rivals for the wicket-keepers spot.

"We're losing six of the best players in Bermuda. In any sport, if you take away six members of a championship team, it is going to make a difference.

"Cup Match goes on and there is definitely enough talent in St. George's. It's just a matter of the selectors putting their heads together and coming up with the right team.

"From what we have seen so far I'm sure we'll be able to put out a side that is more than good enough to retain the cup."[[In-content Ad]]

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