PHC have been ravaged by a severe player shortage that threatens to undermine their hopes of wrestling the Western Counties trophy away from champions Warwick in the opening round of the 50-overs competition at White Hill Field today.

The challengers are without the services of a plethora of players, with club cricket director Cal Waldron anything but optimistic over any chances they may have for success against their opponents.

“At this point I’m not sure of the team,” Waldron told The Royal Gazette.

“Pretty much ain’t expecting much of a match from us. I have five guys that’s away and four ineligible, so I’m not sure what sort of team or who’s showing up for [today]. That’s pretty much it.”

Taurean Manders, Jubar Corbin, Marcus Stephens, Kaual Evans and Marquel Waldron are off island, while Isaac Todd is unavailable and Davin Dill remains doubtful.

Kezie Richardson, Jahmari Beach, Codi Simmons and Parth Kanwar are all ineligible.

On the flip side of the coin, Kamau Leverock is poised to make his debut for Warwick.

The star all-rounder was ineligible to play in last year’s 50-overs series having had to serve the mandatory one year period after joining Warwick from Somerset.

He last played in the competition two years ago as a guest player for Somerset Bridge, claiming three for 12 and blasting an unbeaten 44 off just 14 balls in a man of the match performance that guided the then holders to an eight-wicket triumph against PHC.

Spinner Kevon Fubler will also be making his debut as a guest player for the holders, who are without the services of league players Luke Horan and Staphen Dill.

At last check, Warwick had also yet to announce their team.

“We are in the process of finalising our team for Saturday and expect to have the core of our squad available as we begin our title defence against PHC,” coach and club president Lorenzo Tucker said.

“We will be without the services of Delray Rawlins, who has transferred to Southampton Rangers, Luke Horan, who has returned to school, and Staphen Dill due to work commitments.

“However, we are strengthened by the inclusion of Kamau Leverock, who is now eligible as a registered player, along with Kevon Fubler, who joins us as a guest player.”

Warwick are the favourites to retain their title but Tucker isn’t taking the challengers for granted.

“We anticipate a challenging contest against a well-prepared PHC side,” he said.

“The Western Counties competition has a longstanding reputation for producing upsets, and we understand that a strong performance will be required if we are to progress to the next round.”

Play begins at 11am.

Warwick were crowned champions after dethroning holders Somerset Bridge by ten runs in a rain-affected final at White Hill Field last summer.

The winner of today’s contest will face Southampton Rangers in the second round on July 11.

The winners of that match will take on Somerset Bridge in the third round on August 8 with the winner of that contest to meet Willow Cuts in the final round on August 22.

The Western Counties Cricket Association had originally announced that this year’s series would be held at Southampton Oval.

However, it later relocated the tournament after member clubs expressed “deep unrest” in the wake of an attack on a Paget Lions player at Southampton Rangers Sports Club during the past football season and more recently a firearms incident at the venue.

Southampton Rangers president Darren “Butch” Burchall hit back at the decision to strip his club of hosting rights for the tournament, branding it as “deplorable and unjust”.

Meanwhile, the domestic 50-overs competitions continues tomorrow.

In the Premier Division, Warwick will host Southampton Rangers at PHC Field, Bailey’s Bay welcome St David’s to Sea Breeze Oval, while Willow Cuts are at home to St George’s at Somerset Cricket Club.

First Division action will see Cleveland host Devonshire Rec at Lord’s and Somerset Bridge hosting Flatts at White Hill Field.

Games start at 10.30am.