Somerset Cup Match stalwarts Dion Stovell and Malachi Jones will make their debut for the Bermuda All-Stars in the 42nd Annual Stars Cricket match against New Jersey next month.

The experienced all-rounders have been named in a powerful Bermuda team that will attempt to reclaim the trophy when they come up against their hosts in a limited overs contest at Watsessing Park on Labour Day.

Stovell and Jones are among ten debutants in the team, which also includes Rodney Trott, Lionel Cann, Hasan Durham, Kyle Hodsoll, Kevin Hurdle, Curtis Jackson, Gerald Simons and Neil Anglin.

Former Hamilton Parish all-rounder Phillip Burgess and captain Ricky Hill are the sole survivors from last year’s team that suffered a six-wicket loss, but Jones is confident the side can avenge that defeat this year.

“With the players that have made themselves available, I feel we have a good chance of winning,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it and it should be a nice experience with the mix of young and older players."

Hill, the former Bailey’s Bay, Bermuda and Somerset Cup Match wicketkeeper-batter, is inspired by the composition of the team.

“This year's team is very strong and for the first time in a while we have a full Bermuda team,” he said.

“Hopefully we can put on a good performance and get a win for Bermuda in the Labour Day game.

“This is a Bermuda event and the Bermudians that travel to New Jersey to take part in the various Labour Day social events get the opportunity to see a game between Bermuda and New Jersey Stars.”

The annual rivalry began in 1983 with a game of golf before evolving into a cricket match.

“It all started from golf,” former Bermuda All-Stars player and manager Vivian Simons said.

“It used to be a group of Bermudians that used to go up and play golf. New Jersey had a guy who used to bring a team down here and then our guys would go up there and play golf.

“From there it evolved and when Hamilton Parish got involved that’s when the cricket came in.”