The strength of Western Counties champions Warwick lies in their bowling.

And it is for this reason Warwick coach Allan Douglas has no doubts the script will go according to plan when his young guns rest their crown on the line against challengers Southampton Rangers today at White Hill Field.

In what will be a repeat of last year?s final ? which Warwick won by six wickets ? the champions have again pinned their hopes on fast bowlers Lamar Caines, Lamar Richardson and Shawn Perinchief, off-spinner Chris Douglas, along with medium pacers Kion Butterfield, Randy Bean and veteran Clarkie Trott.

And today?s opening round of the popular summer classic is again interestingly poised as the youthfulness of Warwick renew their battle against a diluted, but nonetheless seasoned Rangers outfit.

Southampton will also rest their unbeaten record for the season on the line.

Full of confidence, Warwick coach Douglas stated earlier this week: ?I?m very confident with our bowling to be quite honest. We have a very strong bowling and fielding team and that is two thirds of the match we can control comfortably.

?Our bowling and fielding is extremely good and I would put that up against any club in the country. And if we can control these two thirds then we should win the match.?

Warwick have undergone only one change, with Allan Douglas Jr. coming into the team as guest player in the absence of veteran Daniel Morgan. Morgan, who has been in sparkling form with the bat this season, is presently off island in the UK performing his duties as therapist for Bermuda?s ICC Trophy squad.

?Daniel currently has one of the best batting averages in Bermuda and so obviously he is going to be a miss,? added Douglas.

Warwick are unbeaten in all forms of First Division cricket this summer and remain firmly on course to clinch the First Division Limited Overs and Two Day League championship double.

The champions also held a practice session earlier in the week at White Hill Field to familiarise themselves to the larger surroundings coach Douglas reckons will eventually play into his team?s hands.

?Playing on the bigger field at White Hill works in our favour,? he insisted. ?Our team is younger, fitter and the guys are willing to take the singles and run between the wickets. So this will work in our favour.?

And in terms of batting, the coach noted: ?We are just going to have to really keep it simple. We have been receiving valuable contributions from the likes of Stephen Bremar, Butterfield, Chris Douglas, Caines and Michael Kelly this season.

?And so again the bulk of the batting will fall upon those particular players and I am confident they will make some runs for us.?

While the champions are without the red hot bat of Morgan, their opponents, Rangers, will again have to do battle minus ICC Trophy trio Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock, Lionel Cann and team skipper Janeiro Tucker today.

Still, interim skipper Kwame Tucker is confident his troops can rise to meet the challenge and avenge last year?s disappointing defeat at the final hurdle.

Tucker, who resumes duties behind the stumps today, stated: ?Everyone is very confident and the mood in the camp is very good. We intend to go up there and play some good cricket, show the public what we are made of and try to win back the trophy from Warwick. The challengers will not announce their squad until just prior to taking to the field.

And as for Warwick?s bowling attack, Tucker added: ? We are really too concerned about their attack. We are aware they have a well rounded young team and doing well in the First Division. But we just have to show up on the day, play some good cricket and we should be alright.

?With three of our key players away (Tucker, Cann and Leverock) of our other players have stepped up their game and proven that we are not a three-men team. And it is nice to see our two youngsters (Ramen Wijewardena and Malachi Jones) beginning to really pull their weight.?

Rangers can also take another giant step toward the Premier Division Limited Overs title with victory over Cleveland County at Wellington Oval tomorrow.

In other Premier Division matches, Western Stars seek to avenge last weekend?s hammering against St.George?s at St.John?s Field, Social and Flatts lock horns at Devonshire Recreation Club while Eastern Counties rivals Bailey?s Bay and St.David?s do battle at Sea Breeze Oval.

In First Division action, unbeaten Warwick can also home in on the league championship with a win against Devonshire at Southampton Oval. Somerset host Leg Trappers at Somerset Cricket Club, Police welcome PHC to Police Field while Western Counties rivals Somerset Bridge host Willow Cuts at White Hill.