Cleveland County have named four colts, among them teenage spinner Isaiah Creighton, for their Eastern Counties title defence against Bailey’s Bay today at Lord’s.

The Harris Bay team, who find themselves entering a series in an unfamiliar position as defending champions, have been bold in their selections.

Creighton, veteran batsman Adrian Burrows, seam bowler Macai McGowan and young all-rounder Clay Darrell all make their debuts. Darrell, who sealed his spot with a knock of 82 last weekend against Flatts, qualifies after playing for Cleveland in the league previously.

Cleveland won the cup for the first time in 33 years when they upset St David’s in last year’s first round at Sea Breeze Oval. Providing the weather holds up, Bay could provide a severe test for Cleveland who will rely heavily on the likes of Dion Stovell, Treadwell Gibbons, Jason Anderson and captain Allan Douglas Jr to post a good score.

Burrows will bring some experience to the top of the order when he opens the batting with Gibbons.

“Obviously after last year’s county we have to respect Bailey’s Bay because they really took it to us,” said Smith, referring to the second round match which was in the balance when rain thwarted Bay’s challenge.

“Unfortunately, I’m not too happy with how our preparation has gone over the last month, we just got focused in the last week or so. They [the Cleveland players] showed this past weekend they are capable of stepping their game up during a Cup Match trial against St George’s, and then the following day against Flatts.”

Creighton, a wrist spinner, will get his chance on the big stage and Smith feels he will handle himself well.

“He has a lot of ability and with the size of the field at St David’s there is room for error for a spinner,” said the coach. “If he gets it right he can be a handful, he had a four wicket haul against Somerset down at St George’s and turned the game for us. He realises as a spinner he’s going to get hit and he just goes back at it.”

The lanky McGowan brings an extra dimension to the seam attack of Damali Bell and Dennis Musson who were also instrumental in the team’s success last year. And the team will rely on the loyal fans to be the twelfth man. Not even the theft of the replica trophy from their clubhouse around New Year’s Day could deprive Cleveland of the coveted silverware as it was recovered a few days later at a property in Tucker’s Town.

“You can definitely tell it’s county, people are coming out to the training sessions and the numbers in training have doubled and everybody is anticipating Saturday,” said Smith. “I’m sure it’s going to be a big turnout at Lord’s and I just told my players whatever they do just leave it all on the field.

“You have to respect Bay, they’ve been bowling teams out all season and Kyle Hodsoll and Lateef Trott are two crucial bowlers that we have to give a lot of attention to. If we can see that they don’t get wickets then the rest should be easy.”

Meanwhile, St David’s will also host tomorrow’s top Premier Division match when Southampton Rangers travel to the east end to meet the league champions in the day’s top Premier Division match. Somerset host Flatts and Cleveland take on Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval.

In the First Division Devonshire Rec and Western Stars meet in a top-of-the-table clash at Devonshire Rec, while Somerset Bridge entertain PHC. St George’s play the Bermuda under-18 today.