“If it’s not broke, why fix it?”

That was the way Michael Corday, the chairman of the Somerset selection committee, summed up the champions’ decision to defend the cup with an unchanged team.

After Saturday’s final trial match at Somerset Cricket Club, which the President’s XI comfortably won by 51 runs, the Somerset selection committee spent less than three hours deliberating before finally deciding to stick with the same team that thrashed St George’s by eight-wickets last year.

A win that was Somerset’s first victory in the East in 34 years.

“Last year’s team did something Somerset hasn’t done in generations, they won the cup for the first time in 34 years in St George’s and so we decided to give them another chance to accomplish something else,” Corday said.

“Right now everyone is operating on all six cylinders, and we just didn’t feel that any changes were warranted.”

The Somerset selectors ignored the winds of change despite standout performances by Justin Corday, the spin bowler, Justin Donawa and Micah Simons, the seam bowlers, and Regino Smith, the wicketkeeper, in the champions’ one and only trial match.

Corday, son of chairman of selectors Michael, claimed match best figures of five for 25 in a losing cause for the Vice- President’s XI, while Donawa took four for 60 opening the bowling for the President’s XI, and new ball partner Simons three for 36.

Smith, meanwhile, took four catches behind the stumps and scored 48 in the Vice-President XI’s run chase.

Corday, Donawa and Smith were all chosen as reserves.

“Although we have some good youngsters knocking on the door, we just think it would almost be irresponsible to change this team at this point,” Corday said. “We know that changes will come in the next year or two, but right now I don’t think it’s necessary.”

“Team selection is not as cut and dried as people might think it is. Everything is discussed and we try not to leave any stone unturned and I am sure it’s no different anywhere else.

“We picked things apart and discussed all the possibilities and in terms of the players available we have picked the most balanced team we can find.”

One player many had speculated the axe would fall upon this year was Stephen Outerbridge, who silenced his critics with a polished 66 for the Vice-President’s XI.

“I think Stephen silenced everybody,” Corday said. “Those people who thought he was on the cusp [of being dropped] need to think twice about that now. Not only did he make a half-century, but he batted really well with determination, discipline and experience.”

Somerset stalwart Janeiro Tucker, Cup Match’s most prolific batsman, is making his final appearance in the classic this year, while Jordan DeSilva is making his debut as captain after succeeding Jekon Edness in the post.

Somerset are bidding to become the first team since the Sixties to win Cup Match three years in succession.

TEAM

Somerset: Jordan DeSilva (capt), Malachi Jones (vice-capt), Chris Douglas, Terryn Fray, Tre Manders, Janeiro Tucker, Jacobi Robinson, Greg Maybury, Derek Brangman, Jekon Edness, Stephen Outerbridge. Reserves: Justin Corday, Justin Donawa, Regino Smith