Western Stars duo Saleem Mukuddem and Jermaine Postlethwaite have both thrown their hats into the ring and headed west to champions Somerset Cricket Club for Cup Match trials.

Chairman for Somerset's Cup Match selection committee Anthony Bailey confirmed yesterday the pair had paid the required dues and were currently training with the squad.

The two all-rounders will attempt to follow in the footsteps of team-mates Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock, Hassan Durham and Stars and Somerset Cup Match skipper Albert Steede at the west end.

Postlethwaite has enjoyed considerable success with the bat thus far this season, and only last Sunday scored an even ton against Willow Cuts at St.John's Field. The former Cleveland County player has a current batting average of 29.8 runs compiled from 11 turns at bat.

Postlethwaite will likely challenge for a place at the top of Somerset's order, a position that will see him up against the likes of former Cleveland team-mate Curtis Jackson and Somerset's Sheridan (Baldy) Ming.

To date, he has two half centuries (55 and 83) and one century to his credit. Postlethwaite was off the Island for Stars Central Counties first round clash against Social Club and his team's 132 run league win over PHC.

Mukuddem, on the other hand, missed the majority of the first half of the season. The South-African born all-rounder played his last game against Southampton on May 18 before heading overseas for several weeks. He returned to Stars' line-up last Saturday for the club's Central Counties final against Devonshire.

So far this season, Mukuddem has managed one five-wicket haul - five for 26 against Cleveland - and a top knock of 73 against Willow Cuts on May 11.

The Stars player will be up against the likes of Bailey's Bay's Corey Hill and Dennis Pilgrim for a place in the champion's team.

"We are looking OK," said Bailey. "As always, numbers in practice have been down as the players have other commitments and what not, but as we get closer to Cup Match the numbers pick up."

Challengers, St.George's Cricket Club, are the the host club for the July 31 to August 1 classic. New faces trying out for a place on the east enders team are Devonshire's Ricardo Brangman, Flatts' Phillip Burgess and James Celestine, Cleveland's Hari Rawat and promising St.David's youngster Delyone Borden.