St George’s will be forced to make at least one change to their Cup Match team this year.

Wicketkeeper-batter Marcus Scotland has been ruled out for the challengers after failing to play any matches in the league for St David’s this season for personal reasons.

“As of right now Marcus Scotland hasn’t played any cricket this season for personal reasons so that one spot is available,” St George’s coach Clay Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“We have a few people we are looking at, but that’s where the final trial comes into play.

“I doubt if there will be many other changes, but anything is possible. We showed last year that we are close and are just looking for the missing piece of the puzzle.”

Scotland made his Cup Match debut for St George’s in 2024 when the challengers suffered a heavy 226-run loss against the champions at Somerset Cricket Club.

Smith, the former St George’s star batter and captain, said his team’s preparations have been going “fairly good” so far.

“We started a bit later than usual because the national team played a home series [ICC T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier] so that was understandable,” he said.

“Unfortunately there hasn’t been a whole lot of 50-overs cricket being played in the lead-up to Cup Match, hence we had a trial match last weekend against Cleveland, which was productive.”

St George’s will confirm their two teams for Saturday’s final trial match at Wellington Oval on Wednesday.

One player selectors will be keeping a close eye on is Luke Fulton, who is understood to be nursing a sore shoulder. The Warwick player made his debut two years ago and was a reserve in last year’s Cup Match that ended in a draw at Wellington Oval.

Champions Somerset are hosting this year’s two-day classic to be held on July 30 and 31.