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After this weekend's Eastern County, I'm really looking forward to Cup Match.

I honestly think if we can hold on to it this year, with at least six guys missing, then we'll have the cup in St. George's for the next ten years.

I know that's a bold statement but we have so much talent in the east, with guys like Oronde Bascome, Chris Foggo, OJ Pitcher and Stefan Kelly.

Somerset has some talent too. They have the likes of Jordan DeSilva, Greg Maybury and Chris Douglas but that is just three guys - St. Georges have about 20 coming through.

Those national team guys are the future of Cup Match and we are really going to miss them this year.

But I think we have a large, large squad to pick from and a lot of experienced players who are trying to get back in the team.

I think we have the experienced players who can hold on to it this year and then pass it back to the young guys next time.

When things get tough, if we select a mature side they will handle it. It's just a question of whether us old guys can last in the heat.

We've got 22 players in with a chance of getting selected after the trial games on Saturday. We could pick a few youngsters like Fiqre Crockwell or Regino Smith but we're defending the cup and we are losing a lot of experience to the national team. Our national stars are all young guys but they have played quite a few Cup Matches between them and we can't just replace them with youngsters.

We have guys like Glenn Blakeney, Greg Foggo and Jason Anderson coming back. And with David 'Chick' Adams and Ryan Steede also involved in the trial game we have plenty of experience.

Adams has got to be about 45 but he loves to win and he's one of the all-time leading wicket-takers in Cup Match. He's not there to make up the numbers on Saturday - he wants to play Cup Match.

I think spin is going to play a big part this year.

There aren't too many good pitches in Bermuda and I don't see Somerset being any different. I think it will turn from day one.

Delyone Borden is going to be coming back for us and there is no-one on the island that can turn it as big as Delyone.

Outside of that we have guys like Garvin Aparicio, Landro Minors and Justin Pitcher to look at as well as players like Charlie Marshall and Clay Smith, who have so much Cup Match experience.

I like the look of Chris Douglas for Somerset.

He is a St. David's islander and I wanted him playing for St. Georges. We want the best east end players playing in the east. But he wanted the challenge of playing for Somerset and I can respect that - it's what makes him a good cricketer.

Whatever the team we'll be playing good aggressive cricket and going for a win.

Last year was rained out as a draw. There was never a chance for a result after all that rain and we batted a long time to allow OJ to get his hundred. Unfortunately it didn't happen and we got criticized for our tactics but we will be playing aggressive cricket and playing to win.

If you have a bad season and play well at Cup match every one remembers that, if you have a great season and do badly at Cup Match they remember that.

Islandstats.com

On a separate note, I just want to clarify about my position with the national team. Earlier this year I said in an interview with the Bermuda Sun that I would play the 20-20 qualifer for Bermuda and not Cup Match, if I was involved with the squad.

I wish I could have been in Ireland but I'm not part of the squad right now because of personal and work commitments. I can't leave the island until August 10 because of my job. After that, I'll be available for Bermuda again.

Islandstats.com did an article last week saying I was going back on my word. I wrote them a response, but they did not print it, so I will re-publish it here.

I am deeply saddened by the fact that I cannot represent my country at the 20-20 world cup qualifiers in Ireland or on the tour to Holland. As the teams had to be in by July 1, I was not available for selection due to work and family commitments.

Due to me being in Bermuda during Cup Match I will fullfil my role as St. George's Cup Match captain. I wish the National Team the best and much success.

I will be fully committed to the national programme soon and hopefully fight to regain my place.

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