This year's 100th anniversary of Cup Match will be officiated by not one, but two umpires making their debut in the popular mid-summer classic.

Last week both Steven West and Stephen Douglas were assigned to the task after the two Cup Match clubs gave the pair the nod. Senior umpire Lester Harnett has been designated as the third official.

West, who has been umpiring at the top level for the past eight seasons, says not only is he ecstatic to have been chosen for the big occasion but also touched by the players' respect he has earned over the years while umpiring.

"I was just over the moon!" exclaimed West, recounting the moment he received the good news.

"I was very proud, very excited and just very happy to have that respect from the players, because it is a sign of respect from them."

West, who was initially put through his paces under the watchful eyes of Randy Butler, George Francis and Wilbur Pitcher, also admitted that he, like many of the players surrounding him on the first day, would have a few nerves.

"If I'm not nervous before I go out there, then I am going to worry because it's just like doing a play.

"And if you aren't nervous, then you don't perform. But I will be there early so the crowd will grow with me."

Meanwhile, fellow Cup match debutant Douglas noted that there were 43 laws to the rule book . . . the 43rd being common sense.

"Actually I don't feel anything at the moment," admitted Douglas. "It hasn't hit me yet."

"But if I don't have nerves then I am not a human being. It's only normal that you have a few nerves when you first start."