Pace ace Stefan Kelly will not take any part in today's Eastern Counties second round clash between champions St.David's and challengers Flatts at Lords.

Under the advice of national coach Gus Logie, the 19-year old St.David's player has decided to rest aching muscles ahead of Bermuda's Triangular Series against Test side West Indies and Canada in Toronto next week.

"Kelly has been advised to rest since we came back (from Europe) because he has done a lot of bowling over the past few weeks and is a little sore," Logie explained. "The advice that we have is that he should be given as much opportunity to recuperate and monitor how much bowling he does.

"Stefan can't be just bowling all the time, and so his work load has to be curtailed. He's not injured as such, this is just a precautionary measure."

Meanwhile, champions St.David's have made only two changes to the team that successfully defended the cup against Bay last month, with national team quick George O'Brien Jr. coming in for Kelly and exciting all-rounder Justin Pitcher getting the nod over batsman McClaren Lowe who was a colt in the first round.

In a show of unity, the champions have looked beyond the off-field troubles of batsman-wicketkeeper Chris Foggo, who earlier this week pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to marijuana possession.

"We all make mistakes and we are going to stand by Chris and give him all the support we can. And we are confident Chris will put this behind him and move on," said St.David's selection chairman Otis Minors.

"Our stance is that it (offence) was a personal matter and since then (last October) he has represented the country. If he can represent the country then we don't have any problem with him representing us."

Foggo, however, will not tend to duties behind the stumps as that role has again been placed in the able hands of guest player Fiqre Crockwell, who had three catches and a stumping against Bay in the previous round.

On paper St.David's appear to have the edge. However, Minors has warned his players not to take any team for granted. And rightly so, as challengers Flatts have the likes of spin king Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock, batsman Nakia Smith and seamer Nelson Bascome among their arsenal.

The challengers have named just one colt in their team, seamer David Bedard, while much will also rest on the shoulders of elder statesmen Phillip Burgess, Derek Wright and left-arm spinner Vernon Eve who could pose as a threat should the Lords pitch take prodigious spin as was the case in the previous round.

Flatts have not raised the coveted Eastern Counties trophy in 29 years, a drought skipper Kijuan Franks - who is confident his players can deliver the goods - hopes to finally put to an end today.

"I think we have a very balanced team that should be able to cause St.David's some trouble," Franks said. "We are fully aware of what needs to be done to win the cup and are up for the task."

St.David's: L.Cann (capt), C.Foggo, OJ Pitcher, A.Pitcher Jr, J.Pitcher, L.Minors, D.Borden, D.Hollis, C.Douglas, F.Crockwell, G.O'Brien Jr.

Flatts: K.Franks (capt), R.Smith, P.Burgess, V.Eve, R.Gibbons, D.Wright, D.Bedard (colt), D.Smith, D.Leverock, N.Bascome, N.Smith.

n Domestic 50 overs competition continues tomorrow with defending Premier Division champions Social Club taking on league title contenders Police at Devonshire Rec. in the day's top clash.

Elsewhere, league leaders Southampton Rangers, who are without the vacationing Janeiro Tucker, host Devonshire at Southampton Oval, returning Cleveland take on St.David's at Wellington Oval while Cup Match rivals Somerset and St.George's face off at Somerset Cricket Club.

In First Division action, promotion hopefuls PHC host Western Counties rivals Warwick at White Hill Field, Bailey's Bay welcome Willow Cuts to Sea Breeze Oval, Flatt's take on Somerset Bridge at Lords while Leg Trappers and Western Stars do battle at Police Field.