Southampton Rangers? Jamaican-born left arm fast bowler Traddie Simpson is highly doubtful to play in his team?s Two-Day Premier Division clash against Bailey?s Bay, starting today at Sea Breeze Oval.

Simpson, who seized three first innings wickets for 17 runs in a tame draw with Western Stars last weekend, has been recovering at his Southampton residence this week from a throat and chest infection and could find himself among a list of several key players missing from Rangers? team for this weekend?s assignment in the East End.

The 36-year-old was raised in Jamaica but later obtained Canadian citizenship after taking up residence in Toronto where he has served as vice-president of the Canadian Cricket Association.

He endured a bitter-sweet performance against Stars last weekend, snatching three quick wickets ? his first victim with the very first delivery he tossed down ? during a devastating eight-over spell, only to be hindered by his current illness in the second innings in which he failed to trouble the batsmen on a deteriorating pitch.

?The first couple of overs I bowled on Saturday were fine, but then the next day I got spanked because I was too sick to bowl properly,? the Bank of Butterfield accounts manager explained.

?Last weekend was my first game for the season and I?m really looking forward to getting a full season under my belt playing cricket in a Bermudian environment. And I know there?s going to be a lot of challenges with the national team travelling as much as they are.?

Starting today, Rangers will be without skipper Janeiro Tucker, Lionel Cann, Kwame Tucker and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock ? all currently in Trinidad with the national squad.

Bay themselves enter today?s clash at Sea Breeze Oval without Irving Romaine and Ryan Steede.

?I think with some of our key players away all of the players that have been left behind will have to carry extra responsibility to try and fill the void,? Simpson added.

?One of best bowlers Sluggo (Leverock) and our best batsmen and wicketkeeper (Janeiro, Lionel and Kwame) will all be gone and so there?s going to be pressure all around. Everybody is going to have to lift their games and put in that much extra to try and secure the wins.

?Everybody is going to come gunning for us because we were the champions last year and all of them will try and take advantage of the fact that all of those players are gone.?

Simpson was due to make a final decision yesterday on whether or not he is fit enough to play in today?s match.

?I?m still trying to debate it, whether I will be fit enough to play,? he said. ?But I also don?t want to have another lacklustre performance like the one I had last weekend in the second innings where I was too weak to bowl properly.?

Simpson went wicketless for 34 runs in five overs in Stars? second innings.

Meanwhile, in this weekend?s other Premier Division two-day match, Stars host defending champions St.George?s at St.John?s Field.

St.George?s enter the game still smarting from a 68-run loss to Bay last weekend at Wellington Oval.

Stars will be without all-rounder Saleem Mukuddem and opening batsman Treadwell Gibbons jr ? both on national team duty ? and off spinner Hasan Durham who departs for the Caribbean today.

In First Division action, Social Club seek to bounce back from a one-wicket defeat against Leg Trappers when they host St.David?s at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Social Club will be without fast bowler Kevin Hurdle who is also off Island with the national squad.

Willow Cuts host Leg Trappers at Somerset Cricket Club in the remaining First Division clash.

Second Division action sees Warwick host Devonshire at Southampton Oval and PHC take on Police at White Hill Field.

Warwick are without national team batsman Daniel Morgan.

Elsewhere, Flatts take on Somerset Cricket Club at Lords while Cleveland County host Somerset Bridge at Wellington Oval.

Somerset will play minus the services of in-form batsman Azeem Pitcher currently touring Trinidad ? his country of birth ? while Flatts will enter today?s contest with Somerset without wicketkeeper/batsman Dean Minors.

Cleveland are without injured player/coach Clay Smith, also with the national team overseas serving as temporary team manager.