Keegan Jones is the only change challengers St George’s have made to their Cup Match team this year.

The 19-year-old all-rounder got the nod to fill the void created by the unavailability of opening batter Marcus Scotland, with the selectors deliberating for nearly two hours before announcing the team.

Ryan Steede, the St George’s selection committee chairman, is confident the team that has been chosen can rise to the occasion against champions Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club next Thursday and Friday.

“I am extremely confident with the team that’s picked,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We sat here and talked about it and made sure that we combed through every player to make sure that we cover all our bases.

“It’s important that when we go to Somerset that we think about how they are going to present their wicket that suits our style of bowling, and what’s going to work for us so that we can dethrone Somerset.

“So again we made sure that we covered all our bases, thoroughly thought about it, and that’s how we came up with the team that we presented.

“The deliberations took approximately an hour and 45 minutes as again we took time to really think about each player that we pick for the occasion.

“The decision definitely wasn’t unanimous. It’s more of a split decision and there was quite a few people that we looked at.”

Clay Smith, the St George’s coach and selector, feels good about the team’s chances of success.

“Very good all round team and I am very pleased with the balance of the team,” he said.

“These are very exciting times for St George’s players and fans as we look to leave it all on the field.”