St George’s have been forced to make at least two changes to their Cup Match team this year after former captain Oronde Bascome was ruled out with a knee injury.

The opening batter has featured for club side Southampton Rangers in the First Division this season but is unable to stand up to the rigours of playing two days of Cup Match and has opted not to try to retain his spot in the St George’s team.

“Oronde has a knee injury and is not able to play at the level of Cup Match, so he made himself unavailable,” St George’s coach Clay Smith told The Royal Gazette.

Also out of the picture this year is fast bowler Luke Fulton who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. He has been named as a reserve in the President’s XI for Saturday’s final Cup Match trial instead.

The Warwick Workmen’s Club player took one for 57 on his Cup Match debut and was among four colts named in the St George’s team last year.

Among those seeking to force their way into the St George’s team this year is Fulton’s Warwick team-mate, Luke Horan, who is hoping third time will be a charm having come up short on two previous attempts.

The Warwick all-rounder was a reserve player in the challengers’ final trial match in 2023 and moved a step closer last year when he made their team as a reserve for the annual two-day classic, which ended in heavy 226-run defeat at Somerset Cricket Club.

Now Horan is back for another bite at the cherry and is as motivated as ever to secure a spot in Smith’s team.

“I am hopeful to break into the team this year and am even more motivated than last year,” Horan said.

“It would mean a lot to make it into the team and, if not, I’m still young, so there will be more chances.”

The player still made his presence felt as a reserve in last year’s Cup Match in the West End having grabbed two of the most outstanding catches in the event in recent memory.

Horan put the St George’s selectors on notice after producing an outstanding haul of four for 11 off nine overs, which included three maidens during the club’s first Cup Match trial this month.

“I am performing better with the ball than I am with the bat, but I know the batting will eventually come,” he said.

Horan has been named in the President’s XI for Saturday’s final trial, which also includes captain Sinclair Smith, who will be recalled after missing out last year because of injury, Nzari Paynter, Delray Rawlins, Isaiah O’Brien, Zeko Burgess, Aaron Paynter, Marcus Scotland, Keegan Jones, Isaiah Greaves, Luke Horan, Charles Trott and Brian Hall. Shane Robinson has also been named as a reserve along with Fulton.

Nzari Paynter, Rawlins, Scotland and Burgess are seeking to retain their spots, while Trott, Greaves and Hall are hoping to be recalled.

O’Brien, who thumped a game-high 73 from 58 balls and claimed one for 20 in the first trial, Aaron Paynter and Jones are also trying to break into the challengers’ squad this year.

The Vice-President’s XI are being led by club stalwart Macai Simmons and also includes former captain Onias Bascome, Kevon Fubler, Jonté Smith, Seth Campbell, Jamar Stovel, Jarryd Richardson, Justin Pitcher, OJ Pitcher, Mackih McGowan, Azendé Furbert and Clay Darrell, with De-Nyi Thomas and Jahquil Hill named as reserves.

Simmons, Bascome, Fubler, Richardson and Smith are surviving members from 2024, Stovel, the Pitchers, McGowan and Furbert are seeking recalls, while Campbell and Darrell are trying to break into the team for the first time.

Saturday’s final Cup Match trial at Wellington Oval starts at 10am.