Jordan DeSilva hopes to replicate Somerset’s long-awaited victory over St George’s two years ago with a second straight triumph at Wellington Oval.

DeSilva’s side are favourites to retain the trophy they won back in 2012, knowing that if the forecast for rain rings true a draw will ensure that the cup remains in the West End.

To prevent that, St George’s face the daunting task of taking 20 wickets over the two days.

“Like any other cricket game you have to plan for the best, plan that we’re going to get a full two days of cricket and work on that,” said DeSilva, who is leading the team for the second time and for the first time in St George’s.

Previous captain Jekon Edness led Somerset to a first win in St George’s in 34 years, when they won by eight wickets in 2015. Wins at Wellington Oval, however, have been rare for Somerset.

“As much as we want to win the game, the rain hurts them more than us,” DeSilva added.

“We have the cup and they want to get it from us, and the less time they have to do that the better it is for us.

“The make-up of our team is to ensure that we make it as difficult as possible for them to bowl us out twice. We know the wicket is probably not going to be conducive to batting, which will probably work more for the bowlers. That’s the reason why we made sure we have batting all the way down.”

Somerset have made two changes, with Dion Stovell and Kamau Leverock replacing Janeiro Tucker and Jacobi Robinson, who retired last year.

St George’s have recalled seam bowlers Kyle Hodsoll and Zeko Burgess, but will miss former captain OJ Pitcher, after he ruled himself out because of a health scare.

“We’re confident, and as champions that’s how it should be,” DeSilva said. “All we’re doing right now is focusing on the two days. We’ll have a light session at training tonight, talk about some things and then settle in tomorrow at the hotel. Then, on Thursday morning, it’s all systems go.

“You always plan to win, but then you find yourselves in different situations and want to make sure you don’t lose.”

Both captains are still new to the job, with Macai Simmons leading St George’s in only his third Cup Match. The recalled Onias Bascome is vice-captain. “I don’t think it’s going to have a big bearing, both sides have experienced campaigners who have done this before,” DeSilva said.

“Macai has former captain Lionel [Cann] and I have Jekon and Malachi [Jones], who has been vice-captain for a few years.

“I have all the respect for Macai, he’s a hard competitor and we’ve played against each other since Colts Cup Match days. I know he’s blue and blue and is looking to take the cup from us. When Thursday comes, it’s gloves off!”

Simmons admits the threat of bad weather on the first day could be a factor, but is praying for two days of cricket.

“I have faith in my team that we’re going to perform over the two days.” the 24-year-old said. “I’ve got the right guys around me so I should be all right.”

Somerset have options in regards to who will open the batting with Terryn Fray. It could be Chris Douglas again, or maybe even Leverock.

“We did bring in Kamau who has been opening all season with his club overseas,” said DeSilva, 27. “We just feel that he brings something to Cup Match that Cup Match hasn’t seen in a very long time. He bowls at a good pace and hits the ball very, very hard.

“We’re not looking to switch things up too much, but we’re looking at Dion to be a straight swap for Janeiro who batted at No 5 for so long. We’re looking for Dion to play that role, the same role he plays for St David’s.”

In the batting department, St George’s will rely heavily on Allan Douglas, Treadwell Gibbons and Cann. Douglas and Cann had good knocks in Saturday’s final trial match, with Douglas’s 56 runs all coming in boundaries.

“He brings everyone out of the bar, when he’s batting everybody want to sit down and watch him,” Ryan Steede, the St George’s coach, said of Douglas. “He’s an exciting cricketer, I’m a big fan of Allan Douglas. He’s the new Lionel Cann.”

Cann has a big role to play, too, in what could be his final Cup Match at the age of 44.

“He’s a warrior, a veteran and has a never-say-die attitude,” Steede said. “We have been on tours together and we qualified together in 2005 for the World Cup. I’m seeing a different side of Lionel, a more mature person.”

Simmons will look to his seam attack of Hodsoll, Burgess and George O’Brien, as well as spinners Rodney Trott, Douglas and colt Nzari Paynter to penetrate a strong Somerset batting line-up.

“I feel I can call on any one of those guys to give me a wicket,” he said. “I can call on different bowlers to do the job for me.

“When things get a little sticky, I feel I can call on Lionel for his experience if I need another idea.”

Steede added: “My bowlers are going to have to work extremely hard to get the 20 wickets required to win the cup. The pacers are going to have to bend their backs and the spinners will need to put the ball in the right areas. I’m hoping for some good weather, first and foremost, and that the players on both sides reward the people with entertaining cricket.

“People spend a lot of money on their camps and to walk through the gates and I want to see both teams play in the spirit of the game and respect the umpires’ decisions.”

n Melvin Best will officiate in his first Cup Match when he stands in the middle with Roger Dill. James McKirdy is the third umpire, while Steven Douglas is the match referee. The match will be televised live on islandstats.com