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After months of scouting and a weekend of intense deliberations the Somerset selectors announced the XI they hope will bring the cup back to the west end.

It's a mixed bag of Cup Match veterans, experienced campaigners and youthful Colts.

The speculation is that Somerset will roll a bowlers' wicket to set down the St. George's lineup.

Head selector Mark Trott is confident that he and his panel have found the right blend.

Here, he introduces us to the 11 men representing the challengers.

Note: All season stats are from the 50 Over league and only include those games where the scorecards have been submitted to the Bermuda Cricket Board.

All photos by Ras Mykkal

Janiero Tucker, 31

Southampton Rangers

All-rounder, Captain

Right Hand Bat/Right-arm medium pace

Season Batting: 233 runs at 77.67

Season Bowling: Seven wickets at 19.71

Probably the best batsman in Bermuda, Tucker needs no introduction.

Already a Cup Match legend, Trott has no doubts about his captain and believes he can go on to even greater things in the future.

"I saw him coming up and developing as a young player and he has just got better and better. For him to surpass Lloyd James as the highest (individual innings) scorer in Cup Match shows what a player he is.

"And it might sound strange to say it, but I think the best is yet to come from Janeiro Tucker. He quietly oozes confidence."

Dwayne Leverock, 35

Southampton Rangers

Left-arm spin bowler, Vice Captain

Season Bowling: 11 wickets at 9.09

Season Batting: 19 runs at 6.33

Another big player and a huge personality in the Somerset camp, Sluggo is a legend in the West End.

"The Somerset cricket fans love him because every time he plays he gives everything he has got. If it's required for him to bowl for two days straight then he'll bowl for two days straight. He gives it 150 per cent.

"He's a match-winner and he's a competitor. He's the sort of player who will hang in there when the going is tough or when the conditions are against him.

"His enthusiasm and fighting attitude rubs off on the other players."

Saleem Mukuddem, 34

Western Stars

All-rounder

Right Hand Bat/Right arm medium pace

Season Batting: 103 runs at 25.75

Season Bowling: 7 wickets at 16.57

"Form is temporary, class is permanent," says Trott of the South-African all-rounder, citing Cup Match legend Colin Blades' favourite maxim.

True, Mukuddem, has hardly been thumping runs or skittling wickets for Western Stars or Bermuda this season.

But two centuries in three appearances in the Classic, speaks for itself. Mukuddem is a big match player and Trott has every confidence he will bring his A-Game on Thursday and Friday.

Malachi Jones, 16

Southampton Rangers

All-Rounder

Right Hand Bat/Right Arm Medium Pace, Colt

Season Bowling: 17 wickets at 10.29 average

Season Batting: 147 runs at 21 average

The youngest player in this year's classic Jones' selection is reward for a season that has seen him become a key player for Southampton Rangers.

Trott is not expecting him to be a match winner but his aggressive pace bowling will be a key factor in the Somerset attack - particularly with Kevin Hurdle out injured.

"One of the things that impressed me was that he has genuine pace. He's an all-rounder but I think he is going to develop into a very good fast bowler."

Jacobi Robinson, 21

Somerset

All-rounder

Right Hand Bat/Right Arm Medium Pace

Season Bowling: 11 wickets at 21.18

Season Batting: 155 runs at 25.83

A hugely talented all-rounder Jacobi Robinson was one of the better performers for Somerset at last year's Cup Match.

And Trott believes he should have made more of an impression at a national level by now. "He has now got to go up to the big stage to develop his game but he has to put in the commitment required. Arnold Manders was dropped from Cup Match five times and came back five times. Jacobi need to take a leaf out of the Manders book when things aren't going his way.

"He has enormous talent but how far he goes is down to Jacobi."

Dean Stephens, 25

Devonshire Rec

All-rounder

Left-hand bat/left-arm medium pace, Colt

Season Bowling: 11 wickets at 22.91

Season Batting: 228 runs at 28.5

Known as the silent assassin, Stephens is currently having a great season as captain of Devonshire Rec.

"He doesn't say too much but he lets his cricket do all the talking. He's an explosive batsman and he's a left-arm seam bowler which adds something different to our attack.

"If he does even 90 per cent of what he did in the last trial match he'll have a very good Cup Match."

Stephen Outerbridge, 23

Bailey's Bay

Left-hand bat

Played most of the season in Cardiff.

After a year at school in Cardiff, playing top quality cricket, Outerbridge has honed his raw talent and comes back to Bermuda looking to show how much he has improved.

Trott, a fellow Bailey's Bay man, has got a lot of time for the young opener after watching him develop in to one of Bermuda's most seasoned batsmen.

"He plays as if he has been in the game for 20 years. He sizes up the other team and works out where the bowlers' weaknesses are and where he can score runs. He's a very mature cricketer. This is his third Cup Match so he's already becoming a veteran."

Hasan Durham, 34

Western Stars

Left-arm spin

Season Bowling: 6 wickets at 14.33

Season Batting: 85 runs at 28.33

One of the few current bowlers who makes the list of the all-time top wicket-takers in Cup Match history.

Durham still has a long-way to go - 84 more wickets to be precise - to top Clarence Parfitt's record but Trott believes he will once again be a key-man for the challengers.

"If you look back at Cup Match's of the past you will see that at the most critical times he has put in sterling bowling performances. We hope he can weave his magic again.

Dion Stovell, 20

Southampton Rangers

Right-hand bat, Colt

Season batting: 155 runs at 25.83

"One of the most exciting prospects to come along in the last 10 years," is Trott's verdict of Stovell, who he likens to Richard Basden and Ricky Hill.

Stovell is a fine player of fast bowling and Trott believes that, like Robinson, he has a big future in the game provided he shows the necessary commitment.

"Hopefully, he will have a good Cup Match and make a statement to the national team. He is another one who has yet to showcase his talent on the national stage."

Azeem Pitcher, 26

Somerset

Left-hand bat

Season batting: 161 runs at 23

Had a disappointing debut last year in a hostile environment at St George's, but Trott believes this could be his time to shine.

"He'll be more comfortable on his home turf. He's going to be a lot more relaxed on his home ground and I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Azeem."

Trott said he realized Pitcher was a class act from the first time he saw him play, two years ago.

"He has a lot of class. I don't think he realizes just how much potential he has."

Jekon Edness, 22

Western Stars

Right-hand bat, Wicket-keeper, Colt

Another young player who has been honing his game overseas, Edness elevation to the Somerset Cup Match team comes earlier than expected, courtesy of Kwane Tucker's injury.

He's improved as a wicket-keeper following his stint at the ICC academy in South Africa and at school in Cardiff.

"He is following right in his father's (Anthony 'Porky' Manders) footsteps. He's developed his game at the higher level and is a good addition to the squad."

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