Wendell Smith, coach of promoted Western Stars, admits Bailey’s Bay and St David’s will be the teams to beat after some interesting transfers over the last few days.

Smith, who comes up against younger brother Clay in today’s opening Twenty20 match at Sea Breeze Oval, sees the Eastern Counties rivals as two of the title favourites after picking up key players.

He also believes the return of Treadwell Gibbons to Western Stars will be significant as they try to hold onto their place in the reduced six-team Premier Division.

“With one acquisition, namely Treaddie Gibbons, Stars should now have not only a greater chance of survival, but the potential to offer competitive resistance to some of the so called ‘top guns’,” Smith said.

And while St David’s and Bay have picked up Derrick Brangman and Dion Stovell, the league’s MVP winners in the last two years, their departure from Rangers will undoubtedly hurt the defending champions, who also lost Shannon Rayner and Oronde Bascome to St David’s and St George’s, as well as Ian Armstrong to Western Stars.

Rangers, who also lost talented youngster Dalin Richardson to Stars, play Stars in their Twenty20 opener next Sunday.

“Without question the teams to beat should be St David’s and Bailey’s Bay,” Smith said. “The former will be bolstered considerably by Dion Stovell, who thrives against domestic bowlers and also bowls impressive off spin.

“Add a well prepared OJ Pitcher, with the technically sound Fiqre Crockwell and the offerings of their other signee, Shannon Rayner, and this squad has the most potent batting line-up in the league.

“The key may be whether Delyone Borden decides to play a key role this season or takes a back seat.

“On his day there is no other off spinner of his calibre on the island.

“He has the capability to extract sharp turn when wickets are duly suited to his style of bowling.

“As St David’s have lost Del Hollis [to PHC], this makes his contribution that much more significant.”

St David’s, who open their Twenty20 season against Bailey’s Bay next Sunday at Sea Breeze Oval, are also reportedly on the verge of signing Allan Douglas, the Cleveland captain, on a late transfer.

Last season they finished fourth, winning only five of their 12 matches as Bay and Cleveland both finished well ahead of them.

“This team, if unified and training regularly, should be competing for the league title once again,” their former coach said. “They are coming off a dismal campaign last year that should have taught them a simple lesson — that talent without proper preparation will not suffice.”

Jason Anderson, the Cleveland wicketkeeper, was slapped with a life ban for his altercation with George O’Brien of St David’s during last year’s Champion of Champions final when Anderson was deemed to be the aggressor. O’Brien is serving a six-match suspension for his role in the altercation.

“While his return will be impacted by his suspension imposed after his debacle in the Champion of Champions match, a fit and hungry George O’Brien is a handful,” Smith said.

“He is the most intelligent pacer I have ever worked with. He moves the ball both ways in the air and has a good slower ball.”

Smith added: “Bailey’s Bay look to be the only team capable of pushing them all the way. With Rodney Trott, Delray Rawlins and Derek Brangman in their line-up, they have a decent spin attack.

“The key for Bay will be their batting. On paper, they rely heavily on Stephen Outerbridge, Tre Manders and Terryn Fray to produce the bulk of their runs.

“Fray has worked particularly hard this preseason and may be a surprise package with his productivity. If there is any truth to the saying ‘you reap what you sow,’ then he can expect a breakout season.”

While survival will be the priority for Western Stars, they will be looking for a good result in the T20 tournament against a Cleveland side that has been rocked by the loss of Gibbons and the possible departure of Douglas, their captain last season.

“The BCB should be commended for starting the season early,” Smith said. “This is a blessing, as we are returning to the days when cricket began in April. It should be an interesting ride.”