Cup Match champions St.George's have been forced to make at least six changes to their team this year due to the loss of key players involved in the ICC Twenty/20 World Cup qualifying commitment in Ireland next month.

Unavailable for this year's mid-summer classic are pace ace George O'Brien jr, batsmen Chris Foggo, Oronde Bascome and James Celestine and all-rounders OJ Pitcher and Rodney Trott.

These voids have left the East Enders, who stripped rivals Somerset of the cup three years ago at Wellington Oval, with huge shoes to fill.

But St.George's chairman of selectors, Lewis Foggo, isn't pressing the panic button just yet, saying his club have an abundance of suitable replacements to call upon.

"We can't dwell on the players who are not available this year. We are the champions and still have a team capable of keeping the cup," Foggo told The Royal Gazette. "We still have a good pool of talented players that haven't played in Cup Match before to choose from.

"Obviously we have to find six replacements this year. But we have a good coach (Noel Gibbons) and a competent team of selectors who will get together and select a squad of able bodied players who can best get the job done."

Selection of the champions' Cup Match team often translates to a long night at the office for Foggo and his fellow selection committee members. And with several spots up for grabs this year, the St.George's' selectors can expect another long night once the final Cup Match trial match concludes at Wellington Oval on July 26.

Lionel Cann will again lead the men from the East while seasoned campaigners Clay Smith and Charlie Marshall are also back this year.

Among those looking to make the breakthrough are batsmen Fiqre Crockwell and Landro Minors while among those seeking recalls are ex-St.George's wrist spinner David (Chick) Adams, seamers Gregg Foggo and Ryan Steede as well as early order bat Glenn Blakeney.

Jason Anderson is also bidding to reclaim the spot he lost several years ago. However, it's uncertain whether or not the wicketkeeper/batsman will play any part in St.George's' plans as he has been chosen as a reserve for the ICC Twenty/20 World Cup qualifying squad.

Meanwhile, challengers Somerset will also have to make changes this year as spin king Dwayne Leverock and batsmen Stephen Outerbridge and Jekon Edness will accompany the senior squad to Ireland.

Edness and Outerbridge, who scored a century last weekend against Scotland, opened the batting for Somerset in last year's rain-hit match at Wellington Oval that resulted in a tame draw.

Among the notable players challenging for vacant spots in the West End are wicketkeeper/batsmen Kwame Tucker and Ricardo Brangman jr and all-rounders Chris Douglas and Sammy Robinson.

Earlier this month all-rounder Jacobi Robinson was appointed as Somerset's fourth skipper in five years.