St. David's president Aaron Lugo is cautiously optimistic his side have what it takes to retain their Lindo's Twenty/20 crown when the league kicks off on Sunday, with the champions opening the defence of their title against Young Men's Social Club at Lords.

With the 50-over league complete and only the final round of the Eastern Counties Cup left to be played, teams from both the Premier and First Division will be gearing up for the next month of action.

In last year's final, St. David's beat Police by five wickets to claim their third trophy of the season, having already won the 50-over and Eastern Counties titles.

Yet, while the side is trophyless this year after a season to remember, Lugo remains confident that his men can retain the title they have won twice – the only club to have etched their name on the title since its inception.

"Being the champions, and how we have gotten on this year in other leagues and so forth there will be a definite added incentive to do well in this tournament," said Lugo.

"We are confident that we can win the title again and we will take it one game at a time.

"Like every cricket game, we approach it as a one-off and will look to win the competition.

"Considering we are the only ones to hold this title, we will be looking to retain it and keep our name on it."

Del Hollis and OJ Pitcher were their chief bowlers, while Justin Pitcher blazed his way to 32 to set up the victory over Police in the side's championship performance last year. It was a total team effort and although Lugo believes the same recipe will be needed this time around, he says it won't be the main factor for a successful campaign.

In the modern era of cricket, where the popularity for shorter version of the game has grown in leaps and bounds, more emphasis has been on the individual rather than the whole team.

With a multitude of players at each club who could be match-winners, the president is anxious to see how the whole tournament shapes up with any side capable of winning.

"It will certainly be each team for themselves when it comes to this format, you can't look at any one team and say we have to knock them out because a lot of the teams are carrying very gifted youngsters and it will be a fight in every match for points.

"Regardless of the competition between clubs, it is an individual game and each player has to put in their personal best and in return their performance will help the team in the overall scheme of things.

"Coach Moore has done well thus far in giving a number of talented players a chance in regards to the national set-up and has given players, both young and old, a chance to raise their games.

"We have a few of those players who could prove the difference on any given day.

"It will be an exciting season for every one and we just hope that at the end we are on top of the pile."