Robinson: I will expose Oronde's weaknesses

Somerset Cup Match skipper Jacobi Robinson reckons champions St. George’s may have made a costly error in burdening a rookie captain with the task of defending the cup in “hostile territory” this year.

The east-enders were forced to appoint opening batsman Oronde Bascome as their new captain after predecessor Lionel Cann stepped down from the post following last year’s stalemate at Wellington Oval.

Robinson, who is now into his third year as Somerset’s captain, said he was “shocked” to learn that Bascome had been appointed as St.George’s’ captain over more seasoned players.

He said: “Personally, I was expecting OJ (Pitcher) to be captain, but I guess they want to keep things in house by choosing a St. George’s captain instead.”

Robinson says the challengers will look to exploit Bascome’s rawness as captain.

“We know that Oronde is coming up here without much experience under his belt in Cup Match and so I’m looking to expose all the areas that I think he lacks in,” he said.

“Oronde hasn’t been very successful in Cup Match as a batsman and at one point some people even wondered if he was good enough to make St. George’s’ team.”

Bascome will travel to the West End next week mindful that his grandfather (Gregory Foggo) and father (Herbie) both lost the cup as St.George’s captains defending it in Somerset.

Robinson hopes lightening will strike thrice as his team bid for a first Cup Match win on home soil in nearly a decade.

“I’m sure he knows the history of his grandfather and father and when you have the cup you don’t want to lose it in your first year as captain,” he added.

The son of former Western Stars left -arm spinner Wayne (Spike) Richardson says his opposite number won’t enjoy the same luxury as he did as a rookie captain playing in front of the home crowd.

He said: “Being at home you have your supporters backing you one hundred percent all of the time. Therefore when times are hard you always have somebody to turn to - and that makes things easier.”

Robinson is confident Somerset can wrest the coveted showpiece back from their East End rivals this year. He added: “Everybody is working hard and I haven’t seen the guys this pumped up since Albert Steede was captain. The guys are hungry to win this cup.”  

As for his own critics who have questioned his leadership pedigree, Robinson declared: “I’m more experienced, wiser and better at what I do.”