Last week the focus was on Somerset’s Cup Match team, and this week the focus will be on St.George’s. How are the champions doing in their build-up to the Cup Match classic?They have already had one trial match, another scheduled for tomorrow against Cleveland County, and last, but not least, the final trial on July 23. Competition for places is stiff and from here until the final trial every game will count and players will have to perform to be selected.Will the coaching staff (Clay Smith, Wendell Smith, Herbie Bascome and Clevie Wade) of St.George’s devise a plan to win the Cup outright? There are a few constraints that may make selection a little more difficult. For one, seven top players will be representing Bermuda overseas during the playing of the all important final trial.Looking at the St.George’s team from last year, in Oronde Bascome, Chris Foggo, Mishael Paynter, OJ Pitcher, Jason Anderson, Lionel Cann, Delyone Borden, Rodney Trott, Justin Pitcher, Rudell Pitcher and Allen Douglas, the big question is how many of them have secured their spot? Of course, as I am a selector and the head coach of the team it would be unfair to answer that question publicly, but I will leave it up to you, the reader, to ponder; is anyone deemed safe in St.George’s?There are many vying to break into the team, all with realistic chances.Firstly, looking at the fast bowlers, we have Kyle Hodsoll, Damali Bell, Lateef Trott, George O’Brien, David Lovell, Stefan Kelly and Ryan Steede. With Justin Pitcher and Rudell Pitcher added to this list, as they played last year, it means nine players fighting for three spots. Each one of them brings something different to the table, and the only thing separating some of them is personal choice.This should create many opinions from the fans as to who should be chosen and who shouldn’t, and even more debate from the selectors depending on each player’s performance in the trial matches.Another major headache for the champions will be who will take the wicketkeeping gloves for the two days? Last year Chris Foggo took the gloves while Jason Anderson, a wicketkeeper, was selected as a batsman.This year could be a little tricky as club player Christian Burgess has had a fairly good start to the season. He will have to show the selectors that he is up to the task of making the step up.Jason Anderson hasn’t had the season that he did last year but he has been his old consistent self and the fact that he can bat long could persuade the selectors to stick with him. This season, Chris Foggo has found runs hard to come by, but he did send St.George’s a message after his performance at Wellington Oval last Sunday while batting for PHC. Banging the St.George’s bowlers around for 52 not out is not something that the selectors will forget. Then, there is the relatively unknown, dark horse but highly talented Sinclair Smith. Having watched him on a few occasions he has impressed me and with a few outstanding performances he, too, could leave the selectors scratching their heads.The last major headache and probably the most important task of all, is choosing which batsmen to take? The St.David’s pair of Fiqrue Crockwell and Landroe Minors have been consistent performers this season, helping to make their team virtually unstoppable. They have been in dazzling form all year and until last weekend, St.David’s hadn’t gone past their top four bats. This will put pressure on last year’s colts Allen Douglas and Mishael Paynter.There has also been some talk of one of three veterans making a comeback onto the scene in the likes of Dean Minors, Clay Smith and Glen Blakeney. I will confirm that Dean will be off Island, so that ends that rumour. Personally, while I am enjoying my cricket, and I have batted productively thus far, I have no interest in returning to the two-day classic. So, that leaves Glenn Blakeney who has a realistic chance of making the team providing he can put together some good batting displays in the two final trials.Glenn is one of those guys who is capable of destroying any bowling attack, but with so much competition about he will have to be at his best to wriggle himself back into the fold.If that isn’t enough, there are some others out there just waiting for the chance to slip in. If those dark horses can put together some stellar performances during the month of July, then they too will cause headaches for the selectors. Shae Pitcher, Dennico Hollis and Regino Smith are three talented young players with loads of potential.Shae produced a good all-round performance in the first trial to alert the selectors of his potential. Dennico has been somewhat consistent all season, and will be looking for a big score come Saturday as he will miss the final trial with the national squad. Regino, however, is one of those players who are naturally gifted, but if he is to make an impact he needs to think and prepare on a bigger scale. If he can turn his 30s and 40s into 80s and 90s he, too, could be right in the mix.Over the past two years St.George’s have been cautious, hoping that Somerset would bring the game to them. Will it be different this year with the champions taking the game to the challengers? St.George’s team have consistently had two fast bowlers, two spinners and one or two seam bowlers. If St.George’s want to take the game to Somerset and win outright they will have to take an extra fast bowler to look to bowl Somerset out cheaply twice.I would love to be able to share with you my possible eleven like I did with Somerset last week, but that would be unethical as I am coach and selector. However, I will say that we are tired of the draws too, and will do everything in our power to produce a victory this year.The team we will pick will be an aggressive, attacking minded team with depth in all areas. If there is a draw this year it will not be because St.George’s didn’t go all out to win the game.It may be because Somerset’s new captain Jekon Edness will not want to lose in his first year. Game on!