Sinclair Smith will be carrying more than his fellow team-mates on his shoulders when he leads St George’s into battle in Cup Match at Wellington Oval this year.

The experienced wicketkeeper will also carry fond memories and the legacies of late grandfather Calvin Rayner and Larry “Cocky” Steede, who both had a significant influence on him growing up and also left their mark at the club.

Rayner represented St George’s and Bermuda at football and was hailed as one of the top players of his generation, while Steede was a longtime member and loyal supporter of the club.

“I grew up idolising these guys and being the Cup Match captain and playing on the same pitch, where my grandpa actually passed away, has extra meaning thanks to him and my uncle Larry ‘Cocky’ Steede,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“Those are two people I hold dear to me, so for the captaincy to come it’s definitely them on my shoulders I feel going through this period.“

Rayner died in 2015 after collapsing while playing a St George’s All-Stars interclub match at Wellington Oval. Steede, grandson of club great Alec “Cocky” Steede, the first bowler to take 100 wickets in Cup Match, passed away six years later.

Smith began a new chapter in his career this year when he was appointed as club captain after Onias Bascome transferred to St David’s. He was recently confirmed as the man in charge of the team at Cup Match.

“I am looking forward to it,” Smith said.

“It’s something you always dream as a youth, but you never know if it’s attainable because a lot of things have to go your way for it to happen.

“I am very grateful to St George’s for giving me this opportunity to represent my community and club, and I am looking to put my best foot forward.

“Speaking to the players the guys back me, so I’m just looking to put a plan together and hopefully bring some joy back down the country.”

The 33-year-old was born and raised in St George’s and made his Cup Match debut for the East End club in 2016.

He achieved another career milestone last weekend after landing his first trophy as St George’s captain courtesy of a 30-run triumph over Bailey’s Bay in the Premier Division T20 KO Cup final.

That success has boosted his team’s confidence in the build-up to Cup Match, which this year takes place on July 31 and August 1, as the challengers attempt to put a halt to Somerset’s dominance in the two-day classic.

“This achievement definitely puts a good feeling in my players,” Smith said.

“Cup Match training has picked up and it’s looking good for us. A lot of guys are in good nick at the moment and hoping to carry this momentum.”

Clay Smith, the St George’s coach, is also inspired by his team’s Cup Match preparations as well as making new additions to his coaching staff.

“We have been Cup Match training now for the last few weeks and numbers are increasing,” he said.

“As a club we listened to the players and we have increased our coaching staff with Roderick Masters and George O’Brien Jr both coming on board along with Herbie Bascome and myself.

“Now it’s simply down to hard work over the next few weeks leading up to Cup Match.”

The former St George’s and Bermuda batter was particularly impressed by the way Smith led his team to victory against Bay in the final on Sunday.

“I thought he did a remarkable job with his game awareness. We had a rain shower while we were bowling and the outfield was wet and the ball started to seam all about,” he said.

“He could have gone to his spinners but stuck with his seamers and that decision paid off.”