Champions St. David's will carry a batting rich line-up into today's first round defence of the Eastern Counties Cup at Sea Breeze Oval against Cleveland County.

The Islanders can count no less than nine recognised bats in their starting 11, with once favoured son James Pace earning a recall from Counties wilderness.

Clay Smith is set to lead the champs, who, with the likes of the prolific Albert Steede as well as Chris Foggo, Lionel Cann, O.J. Pitcher et al included will be hard pressed not to score runs on what is expected to be a perfect batting pitch to boot.

Cricket chairman Delby Borden yesterday expressed great optimism at his side's chances of a successful defence, but was wary of a pesky Cleveland outfit.

"We've prepared hard the last few weeks and feel that we have a balanced team,'' said Borden. "Our batting line-up is really strong right down to the tail-end.'' Borden pointed to Cleveland guest player Hassan Durham as a potential match decider, as his left-arm spin has been the bane of many opponents when playing with league team Western Stars. Durham has taken a league high 27 wickets at a rate of 14.33, lending further credence to Borden's assertion.

"Our biggest challenge will probably be to keep on top of Hassan Durham early in the game,'' said the chairman. "Once we keep on top of Hassan I think we should be able to weather the storm.'' However, while St. David's speak of weathering frontal systems, Cleveland seek to create them, as they recognise it as their duty to attack from the outset.

And chairman and coach Grant Smith said as much, noting that it will be up to his men to create opportunities and, more so, seize them.

"In Eastern Counties the challenging team is the one that has to take all the risks and look to attack...there's no two ways about it,'' said Smith, whose side will be led by captain Aaron Adams.

"It's a difficult game to win on any surface and the challenging team has to make all of the decisions to attack and attack.

"Because of the format that's used, if you bat first, you have to score runs at a good clip to possibly declare and give yourself time to bowl the other team out.'' Still it is not a given that Cleveland will bat first if the toss is won. That will be determined by the status of the pitch this morning. And either way Smith said they can emerge victorious.

"I rate our chances as quite good. We have a varied bowling attack with a few spinners to choose from and a few seamers to choose from. Hopefully, on the day the combination that we have picked to use in various situations comes through.'' St. David's: Clay Smith (captain), Del Hollis (vice-captain), Albert Steede, Chris Foggo, O.J.Pitcher, Landro Minors, Lionel Cann, James Pace, Herbie Bascome, Sammy Robinson, Phillip Pitcher: Delyone Borden (12th man), George O'Brien (reserve), Fiqre Crockwell (reserve).

Cleveland (from): Aaron Adams (captain), Curtis Jackson (vice-captain), Carlton Smith, Earl Richardson, Courtney Trott, Jeremy Fray, Merkell Smith, Jeffrey Tyrell, Hassan Durham, Johnny Richardson, Carlos Smith (colt), Jason Simons, Anthony Bascome (colt).

Sunday will see Cleveland battling to keep their Premier League title chances -- and that of others -- alive as they meet rampant Western Stars at St.

John's in one of the day's top fixtures.

Another takes place at Sea Breeze Oval, where hosts Bailey's Bay tackle St.

David's.

Other match-ups see Devonshire at home to neighbours Police, Warwick facing defending champs Southampton, Somerset Bridge welcoming Flatts and PHC travelling to face Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club.