Somerset head coach Janeiro Tucker has said his side is heading east with the intention of winning Cup Match in his first year in charge of the team.

Tucker, who took over from the retired Jeff Richardson, warned St George’s players and supporters that his team have no intention of playing for a draw and will take the game to the home side.

“We’re coming to win the game and we’re not coming to get a draw,” Tucker said.

“We want to win the trophy outright and send a strong message. We’re going to play our normal game and there is not much to change from what’s been going on for years.”

Despite his strong words, Tucker has cautioned his players not to underestimate St George’s as they seek to keep hold of the Cup Match trophy.

“We can’t be complacent,” Tucker said

“That’s the one thing I’m going to instil in the players. I’m telling them not to be complacent about the position we’ve been in for so long and that we still have to go out there, respect the game, respect St George’s as a team but back ourselves to do the job.

“We can’t take it easy and rely on what we did last year. I want to see improvements, especially in the mental aspect of the players. We can’t just sit back and think that we’re going to beat them with ease. We still have to improve to make our game better.

“St George’s always try to put up a fight. I don’t expect St George’s to just lie down and say ‘ooh these guys are going to beat us’, it doesn't work like that. If they come out and don’t put up a fight, then something is wrong and they shouldn’t be playing.”

Somerset made three changes to last year’s winning XI with colts Zeri Tomlinson, Alex Dore and Dalin Richardson chosen to replace the injured Alje Richardson and the dropped duo of Jermal Proctor and Steven Bremar Jr.

Tucker who retired from the annual two-day classic in 2016 with the most runs (1,487) and the highest score (186), spent years learning from Richardson and has no intention of changing a winning formula, sticking to what has proved successful in the past.

“I think the players that came in are like-for-like,” Tucker said.

“We have enough batters and six bowlers. The team is well balanced with senior and young players, so there is not much difference with the players that we lost.

“There is not much to it and I've been doing my thing for the last few years as the assistant coach.

“I’m just going to continue to do what I do as a coach, following my own processes and philosophy of how I expect these guys to play.

“Somerset fans need to come out in support. Even if they don’t come to the game, they can still show their support by encouraging players whenever they see them.”