January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
It's crunch time for Cup Match hopefuls
Somerset and St. George's will hold their final trial matches on Saturday before their respective selection panels retire to make their deliberations.
And there are some tough questions for the wise men of the East and West to mull over on Saturday night.
Both Somerset's Mark Trott and St. George's Ritchie Foggo admit there are plenty of places up for grabs.
Could Oronde and Herbie Bascome become the first father and son to play for the same St George's side?
Is the class of Clay Smith enough to win him a spot, in spite of his lack of match practice?
Can Southampton Rangers all-rounder Malachi Jones cap a brilliant season with a call-up for Somerset?
Which of Bermuda's talented crop of youngsters, including the likes of Dean Stevens, Stephen Bremar jnr, Rodney Trott and Tre Govia, will be this year's colts?
Which of the veterans will be put out to pasture?
It's no wonder St. George's chairman of selectors Ritchie Foggo is expecting a late night on Saturday.
He believes all 22 players who take part in the trial match are still in with a shout of making the team. "The team is almost there. But Saturday's match could give us a few headaches. All 22 have a chance of playing. To me, nobody is definite until Saturday night.
"We have a selectors' meeting after the game and then we announce the squad that same evening. It could be a long night. St George's has a history of taking a very long time to pick its teams."
He said he would have a close eye on the likes of Oronde Bascome, Cleveland's Kevin Shiell, Devonshire Rec's Ricky Brangman jnr and Bailey's Bay spinner Rodney Trott.
"There are a lot of choices this year. We'll look for a good mix and hopefully the veterans will be able to help the younger players along."
Skipper Lionel Cann, who is also on the selection panel, added that he wanted to take a close look at the options at the top of the order.
He highlighted OJ Pitcher as one batsman who could be in line for a recall, after impressing for St. David's and the national team.
He said there was still competition for places in the bowling attack too with Burton Outerbridge and all-rounder Arthur Pitcher jnr under consideration.
He added that he would be looking for positive players who could win the match for St. George's and would not be settling for a draw, which would keep the Cup in the east end.
"That's the only way I know how to play," added the big-hitting all-rounder.
Strike bowler Ryan Steede will not be back from England in time to play in the trial match and could lose his place in the team, though Cann was unsure whether or not he would be eligible.
For Somerset chairman of selectors Mark Trott the options are equally broad as he attempts to assemble a team that can bring the cup back to the west end.
The two sides for the final trial match were being finalized late last night but Trott confirmed that all of last year's XI, with the exception of newly retired Wendell White, would be attempting to win back their places.
Saleem Mukuddem has made himself available after the dates for the national team's tour of Canada were put back and pace-man Kevin Hurdle will be back from England for Saturday's trial match.
Of the national team stars only Irving Romaine, who hasn't played the classic for four years, is unavailable.
Trott said the core of the team was already penciled in, with a few places still up for grabs.
"In my head I have the foundation, that's for sure. We have the nucleus of the team but the competition is very good. It's really good, hard competition and in a couple of cases it may just come down to what one or two players do in this last match on Saturday."
Trott has been scouring league matches and county games all season, often arriving unannounced to scout players.
Aside from last year's XI a number of others are in contention.
Trott was keeping his cards close to his chest yesterday afternoon but the likes of Malachi Jones, Dion Stovell and Treadwell Gibbons have all had good seasons and must be in with a shout.[[In-content Ad]]
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