Rivals Somerset and St George’s have made a raft of changes to their teams that will do battle in the annual Colts Cup Match at Wellington Oval tomorrow.

Holders Somerset have made five changes to their team and St George’s six this year.

Up west, Sharye Tavares, Zakao Hart, Jade Morrissey, Tayo Smith and Nirobi Smith Mills have replaced Ras Solomon Burrows, Jerez Eve, Dalin Richardson, Terron Webb and Keiron Richardson, who were members of the team that dethroned St George’s in a 95-run win at Somerset Cricket Club last year.

The champions are again being led by captain Dominic Sabir who, along with wicketkeeper Ajani Lee, Jermal Proctor, Joseph Basden, Azar Morrissey and Jaiden Manders are the surviving members from 2022.

Sa-Qui Robinson, Dionte Dowling and Keiron Richardson are the reserves.

Looking ahead to the big match, Somerset’s senior team head coach and selector, Jeff Richardson, says the players are highly motivated and up for the challenge.

“The enthusiasm and excitement that I saw in the guys after the victory last year, they know what it feels like to win the cup and are going down in St George’s with all intentions of returning with the cup on Sunday,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“They had a very good victory last and it was one of the better games I’ve seen in Colts Cup Match.”

Manders, the brother of former Somerset Cup Match captain Jekon Edness, was Somerset’s hero last year as he stroked a polished 107 and claimed three wickets with his off spin to deservedly claim man-of-the-match accolades.

Meanwhile, Q’Shai Darrell, the captain, Marcus Scotland, Luke Horan, Luke Fulton, Isaiah O’Brien and Najiyah Raynor have replaced Dean Simons, Gianni Santucci, Keegan Jones, Shaq Pitcher, Ayr Cannonier and Jordan Burgess in St George’s team this year.

Oyinde Bascome, Zeri Tomlinson, former captain Jabari Darrell, Rohan Richards and Jarryd Richardson are the surviving members from last year’s team.

Ryan Steede, the St George’s coach, believes his team have sufficient firepower in their arsenal to reclaim the cup.

“We picked a very talented team I feel is equal to the task,” he said. “I feel my team is very capable of wresting the trophy from Somerset.

“On paper we are very capable of doing so, but it’s about what the players do on the day; can they follow the game plan and stick to it, work hard and accomplish the task at hand.”

First ball is at 11am.