Flatts have made some bold selections for today’s Eastern Counties Cup final against Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval, while the holders will be without three senior players after the unavailability of Peter Philpott and Mishael Paynter because of work commitments and Aaron Adams, who is off the Island.

However, Clay Smith, the coach who plotted the victory over champions St David’s in the first round, still feels the holders have a solid team despite being forced to make three changes. Randy Bean comes in as a colt, while Damon Rabain and Steven Douglas are also included.

“We would have loved to be able to name an unchanged team, but for obvious reasons we couldn’t,” Smith said. “However, the players coming in are more than capable of producing against Flatts. We will show Flatts the respect that is due, but we expect the trophy to stay at Cleveland.”

Flatts have made some bold moves with their team selection, with Cofield Robinson coming in to captain the team as a colt in what could be a first in the 110-year-old Eastern Counties, certainly in modern times.

Also making their debut for the challengers are Commercial League player Azeem Pitcher, a former player for Somerset in Cup Match, as well as Temiko Wilson, the Western Stars captain and wicketkeeper, and club player Che Woolridge who is chosen more for his outstanding fielding. Regino Smith and Dajon Carey have returned from school abroad to play in a team that also includes veteran spinner Vernon Eve, of Southampton Rangers.

Nelson Bascome, the Flatts opening bowler, is confident that his team can produce another surprise in the 2014 series, even more so after hearing of the changes made by Cleveland.

“I feel we’ve got a winning chance and with the team that they have selected I feel we have an even better chance,” said Bascome, who will be one of the key bowlers for Flatts, likely to share the new ball with former captain Kijuan Franks, who has been outstanding for Flatts this season and is also likely to open the batting.

“We definitely have a chance at winning this and, considering our experience, I feel we have the better chance. The captain will have a lot of experience around him.”

Bascome acknowledged that Pitcher’s inclusion from the Commercial League has surprised a few people. “But he’s a talented a cricketer and has been getting time at the wicket in the Commercial League,” Bascome said.

“It’s an area where we have faltered in the past, batting, so we’ve brought in two batsmen to strengthen that area. We’ve brought in Vernon Eve to give us some variation with spin and have a surprise bowler in Reggie Baker, who many people haven’t seen spin the ball, but he is a talent.”

Baker took four for 23 against Devonshire Rec last weekend as Flatts won by one wicket to move into the top spot in the First Division. Franks scored another half-century.

Flatts were unable to include Kevin Hurdle, who became ineligible after leaving the club to play league cricket for St David’s. He qualified through being a league player with Flatts and must now requalify.

This will be an important weekend in Flatts’ season because they are also in the thick of the promotion and face second-placed Western Stars tomorrow at St David’s.

“At the beginning of the season, there were many naysayers about Flatts,” Bascome said. “They said that we won’t be challenging for the league title in the First Division, so this is a big weekend for us, playing the county game on Saturday and Western Stars on Sunday.

“It’s definitely going to be a drama-filled weekend for us and we’re looking to rise to the occasion.”

In Premier Division action tomorrow, St David’s and Southampton Rangers will be looking for maximum points against St George’s and Willow Cuts respectively to take the title race to the final weekend when the top two meet in what could be a winners-take-all match at Lord’s.

St David’s travel to Wellington Oval tomorrow, while Rangers will look to repeat the Western Counties drubbing they inflicted on Cuts last month when they meet at Southampton Oval. Bailey’s Bay play Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval in the other match, while Somerset Bridge play Warwick in the other First Division match tomorrow.