The unavailabilty of several key players has left Western Stars in a quandary as they bid to wrest the Central Counties Cup from holders Nationals tomorrow in the second round of the competition at Nationals Sports Club Field (11 a.m.

start).

Skipper Gary Brangman, vice-captain Arnold Manders and middle-order batsman Jeff Richardson are all scheduled to travel today with the Bermuda national team on a tour of England, while opener Gregory Sampson (wrist) and bowler Roger Leverock (ankle) are both out nursing injuries.

This loss means that Stars will be without players who have accounted for over 50 percent of their total runs scored this season as well as their number one strike bowler in Brangman with 14 wickets to his credit thus far.

"We'll definitely be more affected with more of our top players gone, while they (Nationals) have only one (Darrin Lewis) missing,'' said stand in skipper Anthony (Porky) Manders when asked about the dilemma his club faces.

"Basically with five main players missing any team will suffer.'' Indeed, Stars will have to draft a few non-regulars into the squad and they will have to quickly adapt to the pressure of being in a cup competition as well as carrying out their designated roles. This is vital if the Pembroke club are to enjoy success against a Nationals team fresh off a nine-wicket mauling of Social Club in the last round.

"Every player will have to concentrate on what they have to do and perform their responsibility,'' said Manders. "We haven't won it (Central Counties Cup) since 1989 and we would really like to get it back at St. John's Road.'' Dexter Smith is one person Manders will look to for scoring. The opener has been somewhat erratic this season having been bothered by some eye problems early on, but he did manage 70 against Police in the semifinals of the Camel Cup and 34 against a mediocre Flatts attack two weeks ago.

Manders likewise needs to produce in the run department and Smith's possible opening partner Anthony Foggo may also play a key role against a Nationals bowling attack led by Chris Wright and spinner Bruce Perinchief.

Said Manders: "Nationals have pretty decent bowlers and we'll have to look out for (Bruce) Perinchief in particular. I think our batsmen will cope, but I'm really concerned with our bowlers.

"With limited overs we'll need at least five bowlers. We're going to have to count on guys who don't usually bowl too much.'' Most likely to open the bowling are Dwayne Steede and Allan Brangman with spinner Wayne Richardson coming on to provide a change of pace. However, if these three do not make an early breakthrough and keep runs to a minimum Stars may find themselves facing an uphill battle.

Depending on the state of the wicket, Manders figures that anything over 200 runs would put his side in good stead to gain a favourable result. In the first round last year Stars were bundled out for 168 against then champions Police who wound up winning by six wickets.

Tomorrow's winner faces Police in the third round next Saturday.

ANTHONY MANDERS -- Filling in as skipper.