Champions St George’s will rest their title on the line against challengers and hosts Somerset during the Colts Cup Match at Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow.

It is the first time the popular event is being played since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On that occasion St George’s beat Somerset by 62 runs at Wellington Oval to comfortably retain their title.

The rules of the match have since been revised, with the age limit raised from 21 to 23, providing those players who might have aged out during the hiatus another bite at the cherry.

“This may be one of the better games,” Michael Corday, the chairman of Somerset’s selection committee, told The Royal Gazette. “Because of Covid some guys might have missed the last two years, so both clubs have decided to increase the age to under 23, and I think there’s going to be some quality out there from both teams.

“We spoke to Clay Smith (St George’s coach) and Neil Paynter (St George’s president) and they agree that it really is not fair to the guys who fall into the age bracket that have missed the last two years.

“We talked about it and in all fairness we want everybody to have the opportunity. It’s only fair to do that and both clubs agreed to it.”

Paynter had no reservations about the decision as he relishes the return of the event.

“Somerset called me and I told them to contact Clay. I told them whatever Clay decides I am happy with,” he said. “I basically told them I had no issue with it. But I referred it to the selection committee to make the decision and the club would support whatever decision they made.”

“The players are very excited that Colts Cup Match is back on and obviously we always want to highlight our youth in anything that they do; cricket, sport, in their daily lives.

“So to have Colts Cup Match back makes Cup Match even more special in that not only the seniors will be on show, but also our youth and future Cup Match players will be on show.”

Paynter said the champions are up for their title defence.

“We want to keep that one and add to it,” he added. “Most of the players have been training with the senior Cup Match team and they are ready to go.

“A lot of them have been playing with their senior teams within their clubs and doing very well, and we look forward to a great game between both clubs.”

The champions will be led by Jabari Darrell and Somerset by Dominic Sabir.

The contest is open format and starts at 11am. Teams are allowed to bat until the 4.20pm cut-off in the first innings, with the mandatory 20 overs coming into play at 6.30pm.

TEAMS

St George’s: Jabari Darrell (captain), Dean Simmons, Zeri Tomlinson, Q’Shai Darrell, Jarryd Richardson (wicketkeeper), Oyinde Bascome, Keegan Jones, Gianni Santucci, Rohan Richards, Jordan Burgess, Logan Jones. Reserves: Ayr Cannonier, Shane Rondinson, Zakai Minors, Shaq Pitcher.

Somerset: Dominic Sabir (captain), Dalin Richardson (vice-captain), Jaiden Manders, Ras Solomon Burrows, Joe Basden, Jerez Eve, Ajani Lee, Jermal Proctor, Terron Webb, Nirobi Smith-Mills, Tayo Smith, Nyrico Swan, Kieron Richardson, Azhar Morrissey.