Ricky Brangman, the St David’s coach, is bracing himself for another exciting clash with Cleveland County when the challengers travel to Lord’s this morning for the second round of the Eastern Counties.

In last year’s second round, Cleveland came within nine runs of pulling off an upset after St David’s set them a winning target of 221 at Sea Breeze Oval.

St David’s have made one change to the team that beat Flatts in the first round, with Shea Pitcher coming in for colt Isaiah O’Brien.

Cleveland have also named a strong team, captained by Makai Young, who almost led his team to victory with the bat last year against St David’s with a dogged knock of 33 which backed up Dion Stovell’s 102.

“We’re feeling pretty good, we know Cleveland will be coming with their A game and we just hope to put our best foot forward and come out victorious,” Brangman said.

“The team is a well-balanced team and OJ [Pitcher] is important to our team while Chris [Douglas] is a good opener for us and has some good things for us, too.

“Cleveland seem to be the team to have our number, it’s always an exciting game when we play Cleveland. Last year was a thriller.”

Captain Justin Pitcher and George O’Brien, the vice-captain, played significant roles in the St David’s victory over Cleveland. Pitcher scored a maiden century (103) after Cleveland had them on the ropes at 38 for five before O’Brien came good with the ball, taking six wickets.

In the last round, OJ Pitcher scored a century against Flatts and now he and Stovell are in a race to see who becomes the latest member of the 1,000-run club, both needing less than 60 runs to reach the four figures.

Stovell is set to become the fastest batsman to reach 1,000 runs, his 953 runs so far coming in just 18 innings at an average of 59.56.

Stovell has already scored three tons in the counties, 121 and 102 against Bailey’s Bay in 2012 and 2014 prior to last year’s hundred against St David’s. Pitcher has a total of 943 runs from 29 innings at an average of 39.29, with a top score of 146 against Bay in 2009.

This year’s 107 against Flatts was his second century, after also scoring six half-centuries, as well as a knock of 47.

Charlie Marshall of Bailey’s Bay tops the list with 2,118 Eastern Counties runs, followed by another former Bailey’s Bay player, Noel Gibbons, on 1,915 runs. Albert Steede of St David’s (1,397), Ricky Hill of Bay (1,270) and Allen Richardson of St David’s (1,218) are the other members of the exclusive 1,000-run club.

St David’s wrapped up the 50 overs league last weekend after Somerset failed to field a team, while Cleveland sealed promotion along with Western Stars and Warwick.

That was disappointing for St David’s who were keen to clinch the title with another victory and get in another match ahead of the counties.

The Bermuda Cricket Board presented them with the league trophy this week.

“We were all disappointed, we wanted to play, unfortunately Somerset did not have enough players,” Brangman said.

“It put a damper on it because it would have been nice to play and then get ready for county. You have to take the bad with the good, it worked out for us.

“It feels good to be league champions, we’ll go in the book as the best team on the island for 2022.

“The board presented us with the trophy and medals last night after training and the members were all there.

“It was nice to see a lot of people in the community come out to congratulate us.”

SQUADS

St David’s: Justin Pitcher (captain), George O’Brien, OJ Pitcher, Ricardo Brangman, Macai Simmons, Dean Simons, Seth Campbell, Cejay Outerbridge, Drewonde Bascome, Shea Pitcher, Chris Douglas. Reserves: Sa-Qui Robinson, Isaiah O’Brien, Shaquille Pitcher, Aaron Paynter.

Cleveland: Makai Young (captain), Mackih McGowan, Q’Shai Darrell, Dion Stovell, Keith Whorms, Clay Darrell, Bryce Daniels, Dennis Musson, Kristian Singh, Shakai Darrell, Kioshi Trott. Reserves: Isaiah Creighton Tybrae Robinson, Jalani Richardson, Reamar O’Brien.

• The Bermuda Cricket Board has determined there was no breach of player eligibility regulations by Bailey’s Bay who fielded Barbadian player Michael Agard in a few 50 Overs League matches this season.

The BCB confirmed yesterday that there was no breach by any member club based on the player eligibility regulations in the 2022 BCB Premier Division 50 Overs League, following their investigation.

“We have notified our 13 member clubs and wish each of them the best in their remaining competitions,” the Board said in a statement yesterday.

• Tomorrow’s T20 double-header scheduled for White Hill Field have been switched to Somerset Cricket Club.

PHC will play Somerset Bridge in the opening First Division match, followed by Somerset against Warwick in a Premier Division match.