to lead them to victory over Western Stars in today's Central Counties Cup second-round game at Nationals (11.00).

Ray was the club's choice to replace Darrin Lewis as skipper for the important game since Lewis left for England yesterday with the Bermuda national team who are on a six-game tour. Lewis is vice-captain of the Bermuda team.

But before departing yesterday Lewis issued a vote of confidence and said that his replacement would need total support of the players if the team were going to be successful.

"We met with the players on Thursay night and I told them that Mark is young and learning and that it was vital for them to give him 100 percent, whether he makes the right or wrong decisions,'' said Lewis.

"I said that it will take a team effort and everybody must pull together. We have been successful with this approach the last few seasons and it was important to continue using this approach.'' Last Saturday's nine-wicket romp over Social Club is something that Nationals must put behind them because today's opponents will not be easy pushovers, though Stars will be minus the services of skipper Gary Brangman, Jeff Richardson and Arnold Manders who are all on the England tour.

Also missing from their line-up will be opener Gregory Sampson who is out for four weeks after breaking his wrist last week against Bailey's Bay.

"The team realises that Stars have been a quality club for the last three years and they will be stiffer opponents than Social Club were even without a few of their regular players,'' said Lewis.

Social Club were unable to cause the Nationals bowlers concern in the first round as their batting lacked enterprise with the team managing only 95 for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Lee Raynor, Sr. was top scorer with 20.

Jason Lewis hit an unbeaten 50 and opener Winston Simmons scored 45 not out as Nationals completed the victory in 15.1 overs.

They will however face a more formidable attack this time, even without skipper Brangman's tidy medium pace. Stars will be led by fast bowlers Allan Brangman, the skipper's brother, and Dwayne Steede while spinner Wayne Richardson is bound to cause problems with his normally tight bowling.

In the batting department, Stars have lost quality bats to the Bermuda national team in Manders and Richardson and the loss of opener Sampson really depletes their stock. But this means that remaining batsmen like Dexter Smith, Anthony Manders, Anthony Foggo, Hasan Durham and Cleon Scotland have a chance to show their worth and shine for the club at a crucial time.

MARK RAY -- Acting skipper for Nationals.