Challengers Warwick were last night still trying to piece together a team for today’s Western Counties second round clash with champions Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval after plans to include Somerset batsman Azeem Pitcher and Social Club seamer Kenny Philip as guest players went awry.

Club officials confirmed last night that Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) had ruled Pitcher ineligible to play while Philip is unavailable through other commitments, leaving St.George’s batsman Allan Douglas, Jr. as Warwick’s sole guest player heading into today’s clash.

“Azeem has definitely been ruled out. He doesn’t qualify and so he won’t be playing while Kenny is unavailable,” stated Warwick cricket chairman Johnny Nusum.

“So more than likely we are going to have to go with most of our league team.”

After losing a few players from last year’s crop, Warwick have struggled to field sufficient numbers this campaign and last weekend played against Leg Trappers with only seven men. Nusum, however, feels that won’t be the case today as Warwick bid to wrest the cup from Rangers on their own turf.

“We do have some players who have come out recently to help. And so I think we are going to be okay,” he added.

“I think we are going to have a full complement of players and are going to be competitive.”

He did, however, admit that Pitcher’s ineligibility dealt his club’s plans a heavy blow.

“We would’ve loved to have had Azeem — but this means that we will now have to change our strategy while certain players will have to pick up the slack. But we feel very confident going in,” Nusum added.

On the flip side of the coin, at press time last night Rangers officials had also yet to announce their squad that is expected to remain largely unchanged from the one that dethroned previous cup holders Somerset Bridge exactly a week ago.

Veteran left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock has again been given the reigns of the team in the absence of suspended player-coach Janeiro Tucker — with Somerset Cup Match hopeful Derek Brangman poised to make another appearance as guest player.

Meanwhile, Premier Division action continues tomorrow with unbeaten league leaders Social Club in an ideal position to increase their lead at the top over idle St.David’s who have a bye this weekend.

Social Club host Flatts at Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset Cricket Club take on Western Stars at Somerset Cricket Club and rejuvenated Cleveland host defending league champions Southampton Rangers at Wellington Oval.

In First Division play, national team batsman Stephen Outerbridge will look to carry on where he left off last weekend with a century (106) against PHC when Bailey’s Bay travel to Southampton Oval to take on Warwick, with Police hosting Somerset Bridge at Police Field, Leg Trappers set to do battle with Willow Cuts at Sea Breeze Oval and PHC pitted against Devonshire at White Hill Field.