Hurdle: I'm here to take wickets

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27: Somerset will be gunning for St George’s with a resurgent Kevin Hurdle spearheading a lively pace attack in what promises to be an enthralling contest at Wellington Oval.

Veteran fast bowler Hurdle insists he is back to his blistering best as he returns to the classic for the first time since 2007.

And he had a one-word message for the holders on the eve of Cup Match — ‘beware’.

It’s three decades since Somerset won in the east and seven years since they last held the famous trophy aloft.

But the vibes coming from the west end suggest the challengers genuinely believe this is their year to turn history on its head.

The confidence comes from a belief that their quicks, particularly Hurdle and in-form Malachi Jones, can claim the 20 wickets needed for victory.

St George’s coach Clay Smith believes his team have more than enough depth and versatility in their squad to cope with whatever the challengers throw at them.

But he is wary of the threat posed by Somerset’s seamers.

“Kevin Hurdle is going to add some much needed pace to back up Jacobi and Malachi.

“Hurdle offers Somerset a lot. He offers them experience and pace.

“He still has the height which is going to give him some extra bounce, so he is definitely going to be a threat.

“We are not taking him lightly.”

Hurdle insisted he was back to full fitness and warned: “They have brought me into the team to take wickets and that is what I plan to do.

“It definitely feels good to be back. Hopefully I can entertain the crowds.”

St George’s skipper Oronde Bascome, who will captain the team on home turf for the first time, gave respect to Somerset.

But he insisted he was confident not just of retaining the cup but of winning the match.

The last four Cup Matches, including a rain-hit washout in Somerset last year, have ended in a draw. A staggering 17 of the last 20 games played in the east have ended in a stalemate.

But groundsman Clayton Raynor insists he has rolled a ‘result wicket’.

And Bascome backed his team to get the victory.

“I believe we have a young, very fit, aggressive and well-balanced team. We should be able not only to defend the cup but also win it.

“We have a very competitive team that wants to win so bad and so at the end of the day I think we are going to come out on top.”

Chairman of selectors Lewis Foggo said the champions had picked a team with the right balance and flexibility to get the victory.

“We’ve picked a team that we know can win the cup and if not, I’m sure we can retain it. A lot depends on how the challengers bring the game to us.

“If we put ourselves in position to win you can rest assured we will go for the victory.”

Trying to stop them will be rookie skipper Jekon Edness. The wicket-keeper batsman, who has replaced Jacobi Robinson as captain, feels good about his team’s chances.

“We have destructive batsmen, quick bowlers and spin bowlers.

The prospect of rain delays remain a menace to the best-laid plans of both skippers. After a summer of virtual drought conditions forecasters are predicting scattered showers over the two-day holidays.

Whatever the conditions the west enders’ star bat Janeiro Tucker believes it will be up to the challengers to force the pace.

“They have the trophy they have no reason to force the issue.

“We have to take the initiative and be more aggressive than them.”