It’s that time of the year when both Somerset and St George’s start planning for Cup Match.

Over the next few weeks both clubs will start training and having trials, which will assist them with their final selections, which takes place on July 25.

This year’s Cup Match has all the ingredients to be an epic encounter. Defending champions Somerset seem to be growing in strength and appear to have a level of dominance over St George’s, with most of it being mental rather than ability.

However, Somerset are heading back to Wellington Oval, the ground that hasn’t been too pleasant to them over the years.

Somerset haven’t defeated St George’s at Wellington Oval since 1981. Somerset are known for having a good training build-up prior to Cup Match.

Jeff Richardson and his coaching staff take pride in preparing Somerset for what they know will be a tough task at Wellington Oval.

Last year I really thought Somerset were there for the taking, as prior to Cup Match they uncharacteristically only had one trial. Maybe they took things for granted, or maybe the scheduling didn’t work out, but we will discover this year if they manage to fit in more trials. Somerset were without the services of Kamau Leverock last year, as he stayed in England playing and learning his trade at a higher level, and rightfully so. St George’s could find themselves in the same boat this year, as Delray Rawlins could miss the match because of overseas commitments with the Sussex Academy in England.

St George’s know they must do things differently and work that much harder if they are to wrestle the cup away from Somerset. One major change up front is the head of the coaching staff, as Ryan Steede takes over from Noel Gibbons.

Last Cup Match, St George’s had an abundance of skilled coaches on staff in an effort to win the cup back, but fell short of their goal.

With a new coach in charge the thought processes and approach could be drastically different, which could be just what is needed. Mishael Paynter has been handed the reins of captaining the league team, but who will take over as Cup Match captain now that Oronde Bascome is no longer playing for St George’s?

Either OJ Pitcher or vice-captain Rodney Trott would be obvious choices, unless St George’s stick to their guns and select their own league captain, as captain of Cup Match.

If St George’s have any hopes of winning the cup back from Somerset it’s in the bowling department that they need to concentrate on.

Two names come to mind, Delyone Borden and Stefan Kelly. These two players have not been a part of St George’s Cup Match team for a few years, but both are proven wicket-takers.

I also think there could be a place for some new blood; names like Dennis Musson, Chare Smith, Seth Campbell, Jamie Smith, come to mind, as well as a possible return for Damali Bell.

Over the past few years St George’s have had a minimum of three Cup Match trials.

Normally, they play St David’s and Cleveland in the weeks leading up to the final trial. With three trials they are able to have a good look at players.

However, everybody knows that the final trial is the be-all and end-all for most. I trust that both Cup Match clubs will make training mandatory for any player wanting to be part of Cup Match. It should be treated as the elite game in Bermuda and players should want to be in a rich vein of form and exceptional physical condition.

Players, you have just over six weeks to perform and put your name in contention for a place in either team. As I tell my players, perform to the point that the selectors have no choice but to pick you. Don’t leave other options for the selectors. Having said that, there is a lot of hard work ahead for both clubs, as the cricket fans of Bermuda want to see a thrilling Cup Match full of quality and excitement.