Bailey’s Bay all-rounder Rodney Trott has completed an extraordinary reversal in the lead up to his team’s Eastern Counties title defence against challengers Flatts Victoria at Lord’s today.

The experienced player was omitted from the holders’ squad for the second-round clash and replaced by 22-year-old colt La Zai Outerbridge after deciding to retire from the competition.

This after helping Bay dethrone champions Cleveland County in the previous round at Lord’s last month to avenge defeat against their Harris Bay rivals in the second round of last year’s competition.

A club spokesperson revealed that Trott had retired after the team was announced this week when approached by The Royal Gazette.

But in a remarkable twist, the club spokesperson later advised that Trott had reversed his decision and wants to continue playing in the Eastern Counties.

Outerbridge is the only change in Bay’s team from the one that regained the prized trophy from Cleveland’s grasp in the previous round.

Bay have again pinned their hopes of success on an experienced line-up which has depth in both the batting and bowling departments.

Flatts have made three changes to their squad from the one that lost to Bay by ten runs in an exciting low-scoring first-round encounter at Lord’s last year.

Wicketkeeper Cecoy Robinson, Jermaine Clarke and Sai Kumar have made way for recalled former captain Kijuan Franks, Logan Jones and Swadesh Gond.

The challengers squad also possesses experience and depth in the batting and bowling, with much of their hopes of success again weighing heavily on the shoulders of all-rounder and vice-captain Kamau Leverock.

Flatts will be hoping third time is a charm heading into the cup clash having come close to toppling Bay in the past two years.

Bay beat Cleveland by 68 runs in another exciting low-scoring affair that went right down to the wire last time out in the competition.

Captain Terryn Fray and left-arm spinner Derrick Brangman were the heroes on that occasion. Fray thumped an unbeaten century (131), his first in the competition, while man of the match Brangman claimed five for 56, including last man Shakai Darrell, to clinch victory for then challengers Bay with time fast running out in the day’s play.

Action gets under way at Lord’s at 10am.

Meanwhile, domestic 50 overs cricket continues tomorrow.

In the Premier Division, unbeaten leaders Southampton Rangers host bottom side Willow Cuts whose search for their first win in the competition continues at Southampton Oval.

Elsewhere, reigning champions St David’s will host St George’s in an East End derby at Lord’s where both teams will be hoping to pick up their second wins of the campaign.

The remaining top flight match-up will see second-place Somerset host fourth-place Warwick Workmen’s Club at Somerset Cricket Club, where both teams will be keen to continue their winning ways coming off victories against St David’s and Willow Cuts last time out.

Third-place Bay have a bye this round.

Rangers top the Premier standings with 20 points over nearest rivals Somerset, who are ahead of Bay on net run rate.

There are also two First Division 50 overs fixtures scheduled for tomorrow.

Unbeaten leaders Cleveland host second-place Flatts at Wellington Oval, while third-place Devonshire host fourth-place PHC at Devonshire Rec, where the visitors will continue a search for their first win in the competition.

Bottom-dwellers Somerset Bridge, who are also yet to get a win under their belt, have a bye this round.

Cleveland top the second tier standings by ten points over nearest rivals and fellow promotion hopefuls Flatts heading into the east end derby. Devonshire are in third, 20 points adrift of Flatts.

All Premier and First Division 50 overs matches get under way at 10.30am.