Hassan Durham, the veteran left-arm spinner, is confident Cup Match challengers Somerset can put an end to their 27-year winless streak at Wellington Oval this year.

The West Enders last triumphed in the East End in 1981 when then skipper Joe Bailey led them to a famous nine-wicket victory but have been unable to repeat the feat since.

But according to Durham, that may all change this year, such is the veteran's confidence in those currently in trials at Somerset.

"It's inconceivable to think that we will never win again in St.George's just because we haven't done so since 1981.

"I think we have had opportunities since then to win but haven't been able to do the little things that can turn a draw into a victory," he said.

"We have to win in St. George's at some point, and this could be our year.

"We have some veteran players and good up and coming players and I think whatever team is picked will be a good mix and a team definitely capable of bringing the cup back.

"I think the players we have in training are more than capable of going to St.George's and getting a victory.

"A lot them are in good form and have either taken wickets or made runs over the last few weeks.

"I think those who will eventually get picked will go into the game confident as individuals.

"And if you have confident players in your team than the team as a whole will have confidence in each other."

Durham, 37, is one of only three Somerset bowlers to have claimed seven wickets in an innings and the first to do so on turf.

He achieved the remarkable feat during the 1996 classic which Somerset won at home by six-wickets.

The slow bowler has so far claimed 36 Cup Match scalps at an average of 22.5 and remains 37th on the classic's all-time leading bowling averages.

Warren Simmons (seven-16) and Arthur Simons (seven-34) are the only other Somerset bowlers to have taken seven wickets in a Cup Match innings.

n Roger Dill, Richard Austin and Anthony Fubler have been confirmed as the match officials for this year's Cup Match.

n Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd will not serve as match commisioner in this year's classic.

Lloyd, an ICC match referee, will be replaced by local umpire Lester Harnett.