Clarkie Trott to beef up Southampton Rangers' fast bowling arsenal in today's second round of the Western Counties at White Hill starting at 11a.m.

Trott has been brought into the team as a replacement for medium-pacer Quinton Burch who is in Albert Steede's wedding party today.

Skipper Dexter Basden in fact welcomed the inclusion of the Bailey's Bay paceman as a guest player for the 60-overs game, claiming that his medium pace is the sort of bowling that the Willow Cuts batsmen relish. Southampton have also added former skipper Ricky Brangman of Wester Stars as a guest player.

"Clarkie does strengthen their bowling, but he is not really fast,'' said Basden of the Rangers colt.

"He bowls a good line and length but honestly speaking he is the type who are boys like. We are not frightened with him in their lineup and there is definitely no fear of us losing because of him.'' Rain affected last year's two-day final and eventually saw the two teams play to a draw, and their lone meeting this season was also rain-affected, as the league encounter on May 21 also produced a draw.

In the first round of the county on July 8, Willow Cuts predictably got over Warwick quite easily, winning by 59 runs at White Hill in a game that saw skipper Basden score 40 and veteran bowlers Vance Gilbert and Vivian Simons being responsible for Warwick's downfall. Gilbert took four for 34 and Fubler four for 34.

But while Basden expects his opponents this time to be more formidable he still reckons that his unchanged team should be strong enough to move into the final once again.

"As far as I am concerned it would be difficult for any of the teams in the county to beat us in a limited overs match, we are going into the game with extreme confidence but we certainly are not over confident,'' said the skipper.

"I think we will need something like 175 runs or more against Southampton, a lower score will simply not be good enough against them. They are much stronger than Warwick, and the addition of Clarkie will certainly strengthen them,'' he added.

Basden said that he will once again be counting on his two veteran pace bowlers, Rodney Fubler and Gilbert, to spearhead his attack while Somerset's Cup Match colt Kevin Fubler will be relied on for some spin bowling alongwith Simons and Richard Basden.

The batting remains sound and is deep with many capable of producing long innings, including himself, Jermaine Warner, Andre Hendrickson, Gladwin Endess and his brother Richard. Willow Cuts: Dexter Basden (capt), Jermaine Warner, Dwayne Basden, Richard Basden, Andre Hendrickson, Davon Wade, Gladwin Edness, Rodney Fubler, Vivian Simons, Vance Gilbert, Kevin Fubler.

Southampton: Olin Jones (capt), Dwayne Steede (vice capt), Keith Wainwright, Darren Burchall, Kwame Tucker, Janeiro Tucker, Clarkie Trott (colt), Ricky Brangman, Michael Brangman, Garry Williams, David Stoneham. Res: Ryan Belboda, Kennedy Wainwright.

CLARKIE TROTT -- A key man for Rangers today and Bailey's Bay tomorrow.