Shannon Rayner, the St George’s colt, will find himself in a somewhat awkward position in this year’s Cup Match.

The big occasion will pit the all-rounder against Southampton Rangers team-mates Janeiro Tucker and Derrick Brangman who both play for Somerset, the cup-holders.

Rayner, one of two colts challengers that St George’s have included in their squad this year, is champing at the bit to mix it up with his Rangers mates on domestic cricket’s biggest stage.

“I train and play with them every week and now I finally get to play against them in the biggest cricket match in the Island, which is Cup Match, and it is really going to be exciting,” Rayner said. “We have been trash-talking with each other on social media, so the challenge is there already. Our friendship will not go out of the window, but we are going to be battling against each other.”

Tucker is delighted to see Rayner break into Cup Match this year. “He deserves to be in Cup Match because he has had a pretty decent season,” said Tucker, Cup Match’s most prolific batsman and the only player to score four centuries in the classic. “I wish him well but hope he does not do too good. I do not mind him scoring 20 to 25 runs.”

Brangman, the left-arm spinner, was even less welcoming than Tucker. “Congratulations to Shannon,” he said. “But we have something for him when he comes up into the big league.”

This year will mark the first time that Rangers players will feature on opposing Cup Match teams since 1999 when Janeiro Tucker played for Somerset and Clevie Wade made his final appearance for St George’s.

“I really did not know it has been that long and I am just happy to be a part of this,” Rayner said. “I am just happy to be playing in Cup Match.”

Gerri Saltus, the Southampton Rangers president, is proud to have three of his players involved in Cup Match this year. “It is always impressive when it comes to how many players we have had playing in Cup Match,” he said. “It is nice to see Shannon playing as a colt. Shannon has found his form again and I am really impressed with him.

“I am for St George’s but I wish Janeiro and Derrick all of the best. I would like to see Janeiro get another century, but on the losing side.”