History will be made today when St.David?s recall George Cannonier at Sea Breeze Oval for the champions? first round Eastern Counties clash with fierce rivals Bailey?s Bay.

At age 56, Cannonier will be the oldest cricketer to appear in the classic, and he will do so only days after Bay selectors opted not to go with 50-year-old all-rounder Noel Gibbons.

Cannonier, who has shone with the new ball at nearby St.George?s this season, has been included in a St.David?s team stacked heavily with batsmen ? including national team skipper Clay Smith ? and also containing two colts in Chris Pitcher and Jevon Foggo and a new counties skipper in Sammy Robinson.

The champions, who dethroned Bay in last year?s final at Lords, have been hardest hit by player unavailability due to current overseas tours by Bermuda?s senior and Under-19 national squads to Antigua and Barbados respectively.

And it?s hoped Cannonier?s experience will compensate for any shortcomings in the batting and bowling departments.

Veteran Islanders batsman Allen Richardson, one of only five players to score over 1,000 runs in the Eastern Counties, has also been recalled at age 48 to help fill voids left by OJ Pitcher, Delyone Borden, George O?Brien jr, Stefan Kelly, Oronde Bascome and Lionel Cann.

Yet despite missing several key players, St.David?s? coach Del Hollis is optimistic the Islanders can retain the cup in hostile territory ? a feat they failed to achieve in 2002 when they relinquished the trophy to their perennial rivals.

?If we can go there and put our heads down then I honestly feel we can come out with a victory, weather permitting,? Hollis told . ?Our batsmen will have to bat because this is what I think this match will come down to.

?We don?t intend to make things easy for Bay and we are actually even more determined because of the fact we are under-strength.

?But if we just stick to our game plan we will be okay.?

With rain forecast this weekend, Hollis is fully aware how crucial winning the toss will be. It has fast become tradition for teams holding the cup to bat out the entire 70 overs allocated to the team batting first.

With the possibility of overnight rain seeping under the covers, St.David?s could find themselves in a tricky situation.

?To be honest, weather permitting, I think we?ll probably end up putting Bay in to bat, regardless,? Hollis said. ?But it will be a team decision, whether we field or decide to bat.?

Bay, meanwhile, have recalled veteran seamer Clarkie Trott and batsman Jahmiko Marshall and included one colt, Jamie Smith, in their squad.

And like their rivals they will also be without key players as seamer Ryan Steede is currently playing in the UK with Atherstone CC, while batsmen Irving Romaine and Stephen Outerbridge are in Antigua with the senior national team and youngsters Rodney and Kearon Trott, Tre Govia and Terryn Fray are all in Barbados with the Island?s Under-19 squad.: Sammy Robinson (captain), Del Hollis (vice-captain), Chris Foggo (wicketkeeper), Allen Richardson, Clay Smith, Arthur Pitcher jr, Chris Pitcher (colt), George Cannonier, Fiqre Crockwell, Jevon Foggo (colt), Loren Marshall.: Jermaine Outerbridge (captain), Jermaine Warner (vice-captain), Charlie Marshall, Burton Outerbridge, Jim West, Dennis Trott, Rodney Masters (wicketkeeper), Tyrone Burgess, Clarkie Trott, Jamie Smith (colt), Jahmiko Marshall.: Lester Harnett; Steven West.

Meanwhile, Premier Division league leaders Southampton Rangers and Social Club continue their two-horse race for the championship tomorrow.

A depleted Rangers are away to Flatts at Lords while Social Club take on an under-strength St.David?s at Devonshire Rec.

The remaining two Premier fixtures see cellar dwellers Warwick and Western Stars lock horns at Southampton Oval and Somerset host Bailey?s Bay at Somerset Cricket Club.

Elsewhere in First Division action, league leaders St.George?s are favoured over PHC at Wellington Oval while fellow title contenders Cleveland have a tricky fixture against Leg Trappers at Sea Breeze Oval.

Others matches see Devonshire away to Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field and Police hosting Willow Cuts ? fresh off a tour of Toronto ? at Police Field.