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Growing up on the fringes of Somerset Cricket Ground, Jacobi Robinson always dreamed he would one day play Cup Match.

Watching the annual classic from the balcony of his family home - which had a clear view of the pitch - Robinson developed an affinity with the club and with the Classic.

He's been groomed as a future captain since making his debut in 2004. And now, as he takes the reins for the first time, he talked to James Whittaker about the importance of Cup Match, his favourite players and why Somerset will win this year.

What does it mean to you to be captain?

It's definitely an achievement and a dream come true for me. I've been Somerset all my life. I grew up here and it's very special for me to be captain. I live right by the ground, my house is above the practice nets, so I was always down the club, growing up. It's a big day for the family with me being captain. My uncle and my father probably won't miss a ball. I'm the first in my family to be captain. My mother, my uncles, my granny will all be there. They are all excited.

What's the first Cup Match you can remember?

I remember in the early 90s watching my uncle Jeff play and my dad play in '93. My daddy only played once but my uncle Jeff played quite a bit and averages in the 40s at least.

I've been talking to them a lot. They have a lot of advice to give me.

Who were your Cup Match idols growing up?

I always used to like watching Albert Steede. I enjoyed watching his captaincy, with him winning two Cup Matches, and his batting.

Corey Hill was another player I used to admire when I was growing up.

Who was your biggest influence in cricket?

My father and my uncle and I also have to mention my grandmother, Loretta Place. She supports me no matter what.

She got into cricket late but she comes to almost every game and she's always got an opinion.

She'll be there for the first ball on Thursday.

What was your Cup Match debut like?

It was 2004 and I got the wickets of Clay Smith and Glen Blakeney. I'll never forget that.

I couldn't believe it was happening. It was my first match and I got their two best batsmen.

If I can get those two again this year I will be happy.

Which St. George's player would you most like to have on your team?

I'd love to have Glenn Blakeney on my team, any day.

I think he's just got that ability. He's so explosive, he can take your best ball and turn it into a six.

He can be intimidating to a bowler. I can tell you he does not intimidate me, but he's someone I respect as a batsman. When you are bowling to Glenn you know you have got to come correct.

What effect do you think having a lot of new players , missing the stars, will have on the game?

I think the worth of the game is not going to lose anything and it gives Bermuda an opportunity to see some new faces.

It gives the players a chance to show they are worth their spots and make the national team guys work to get their places back.

You are always going to miss quality players like Sluggo. He has those motivational skills and he is one of the characters of Cup Match. People are going to miss that, but it's up to the new guys to make it hard for him to get back in the team.

Which player in your squad do you think will surprise people in Cup Match?

I feel that Del Hollis could be the big surprise. Everybody is expecting big things from Chris Douglas but he's a young guy and we are not putting too much pressure on him. I feel our dark horse will either be Del or Sammy (Robinson).

There's a few people who might think they shouldn't be on our team but they are both talented, experienced guys who feel they should never have been dropped to begin with. They have a point to prove.

What about the youngster Chris Douglas?

People are expecting a lot from him and he has the right attitude. I don't think he worries about what people say or what people think but about what he can do for the team.

I ain't worried about him. I think he's going to do well.

Who will win and what factors will determine the outcome?

I feel very confident that Somerset will win. Our team is very strong. We can bowl St. George's out twice.

Looking at their team, I feel we have the stronger attack. But I think the game will be won in the field with our team being younger, fitter and more agile than St. George's.

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