January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Who can dethrone Rangers?
But while the exploits of the former legends will rightly take centre stage next week the enduring drama of the new cricket season begins.
Dominant Southampton Rangers who went through the Premier Division season unbeaten last season look likely champions again - the threat of losing players to the national team countered by the losses chief rival St David's suffered in the transfer window.
Without the experience of Clay Smith and Dean Minors the east enders seem unlikely to challenge.
Bailey's Bay remain strong and Warwick have added experience to their talented crop of youngsters while Western Stars still have much of the squad that won the title two year's ago and should ride out the loss of Jacobi Robinson to challenge again.
There's a shortened fixture list this weekend with games played on Saturday. The Western Stars and Flatts match has been postponned.
Premier Division
St David's v Warwick
On Saturday at 11am
At St David's Oval
Reeling from the loss of player/coach Clay Smith and wicket-keeper Dean Minors and without the services of spin-bowling all-rounder Delyone Borden or O.J. Pitcher, both of whom are at college, the east enders ability to challenge Rangers for the Premier Division has been seriously dented.
Warwick's promotion to the top flight last year was thanks in large part to their talented youngsters. The likes of Stephen Bremar, a recent national team recruit, and Lamar Caines impressed throughout the season.
Bermuda physio turned frontline batsman Daniel Morgan adds class and experience, as does new signing Ferdinand Thorne and Warwick have set a top four finish as their target for the season.
But with Caines, captain Kian Butterfield and new recruit, wicket-keeper David Ferreira all away in school so it could be a slow start on Saturday.
The islanders still have plenty of strength in the squad with opener Chris Foggo and electric pace bowler George O'Brien among the best young players. O'Brien's involvement at the weekend is questionable with the youngster struggling with injury.
Somerset v Social Club
On Saturday at 11am
At SCC
Newly promoted Somerset look in good shape for the new season. The signing of pace-man Jacobi Robinson from Western Stars and Dwight Basden from Willow Cuts has bolstered a side that was led to promotion last year by talented all-rounder Azeem Pitcher.
All-rounder Wendell White also had a great season last time around. Social Club will look to the thundering bat of Charlie Marshall and a host of new recruits, including young opener Detroy Smith from St George's.
It should be a tight game.
Southampton Rangers v Bailey's Bay
On Saturday at 11am
At Southampton Oval
It has been noted that the biggest threat to Rangers' defence of their title is probably the national team.
With St. David's and Western Stars weakened from last year another season of Rangers' dominance looks inevitable.
They will certainly lose skipper Janeiro Tucker, last year's MVP Lionel Cann and spin king Sluggo for long periods of time on national duty.
And Kwame Tucker, Curtis Jackson and Malachi Jones are all in the national frame and could be called up.
Bay, for their part, could be the team to push Rangers. Irving Romaine and Ryan Steede are the mainstays of their batting and bowling respectively, but they have strength in depth.
Rodney 'picnic' Trott is a talented youngster who will have a big part to play if and when he is fit and with young pace bowler Jim West, veteran Corey Hill and skipper Jermaine Outerbridge they have plenty to work with.
It's hard to see beyond Rangers, who should be at full strength on Saturday, in this fixture though.
First Division
PHC v Cleveland
On Saturday at 11am
At White Hill Field
If Cleveland bat like they did last year they'll be in trouble. But new coach, national team captain Clay Smith, has been brought in to sort that out - and he's brought his son, Bermuda Under-15 batsman Clay Darrell with him.
Smith won't be involved until much later in the season from a playing perspective but his influence and personality should have a positive impact.
National football coach Kyle Lightbourne turned his arm over with some success for PHC last season while Neil Anglin was among the top bowlers in the league.
But it was a dismal season during which they won just two games. Andre 'Doc' Manders will be hoping for better in his last season in charge.
Leg Trappers v Somerset Bridge
On Saturday at 11am
At Sea Breeze Oval
Having failed to win a game for the last two seasons, Somerset Bridge's complete inactivity in the transfer window hardly bodes well this year.
Leg Trappers were left disappointed by their fifth placed finish last time out after a season they felt warranted more.
In captain Luke O'Connor, Graham Strange and Chris Fleming they have the nucleus of a solid batting line-up that contributes all the way down the order.
BCB secretary Marc Wehterhill made some useful contributions with the ball last year as did O'Connor and Scaife.
The expats would hope to get the season off to a winning start on Saturday.[[In-content Ad]]
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