The axe could fall upon Janeiro Tucker’s captaincy of Somerset’s Cup Match team when club officials convene this week to decide on the skipper’s fate, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

It is understood that Tucker has fallen out of favour following back-to-back defeats against East End rivals St. George’s, with club officials now said to be searching for a new leader ahead of this summer’s classic at Wellington Oval.

According to sources, Somerset league captain Jacobi Robinson and veteran left-arm spinner Hasan Durham are among a shortlist of potential successors who could be presented with the challenge of spearheading the West Enders’ quest to regain the coveted trophy they surrendered in 2005 in St. George’s.

Club president Richard Scott declined to comment on the subject yesterday but is expected to make an official announcement soon.

In 2005 Tucker succeeded former national team skipper Albert Steede as Somerset captain, four years after eclipsing Lloyd James’ 39-year-old Cup Match record for the highest individual score by setting a new mark (186) at Wellington Oval.

Tucker, who has been summoned to appear before Bermuda Cricket Board’s disciplinary committee tonight, also shares multiple Cup Match batting partnership records, has won the classic’s coveted MVP and Safe Hands Awards on multiple occasions and in 1999 became the first Somerset batsman to score a century (103 not out) in St.George’s.