Let the show begin!

This Cup Match classic is shaping up to be a fascinating one. There were some outstanding performances during the final trials at both ends of the Island, which bodes well for the game.

Who will walk away with the most prestigious sporting trophy on the Island. Will it be St.George's or Somerset? Having played with, and in some cases coached, several of these players, let's take a look at both teams man for man and see how they compare.

Oronde Bascome v Dion Stovell

Oronde's game is efficient. He is a player I rate highly as he is a good listener, which makes him a good learner of the game. Oronde will be keen to show the selectors that he has the game to lead St. George's as captain in years to come.

Dion has been spoken of highly throughout the cricketing fraternity but has yet to make his mark on the big stage. Raw talent, mixed with aggression and confidence, but putting it all together when it counts the most is what's important. Bermuda have not seen the best of Dion yet.

Glen Blakeney v Chris Douglas

Glenn is just a natural. He is the most gifted player on show. For years Glenn has produced the goods, but after last year's baron spell he will be eager to get back amongst the runs.

Chris Douglas on the other hand has come onto the stage and made an instant name for himself. Chris loves the game and wants to improve but with all due respect, it will be a while before he can reach the calibre of Glenn.

Fiqre Crockwell v Steven Outerbridge

Fiqre is the silent assassin, relatively unknown, but has tremendous ability and heart, a true coach's player and was last year's Safe Hands winner.

Steven on the other hand has stamped his authority on cricket by claiming to be the best in Bermuda after some solid performances in the ICC qualifiers. Steven is what I consider a student of the game, has passion for the game like no other.

Charlie Marshall v Janiero Tucker

Charlie is the veteran in the team and his track record speaks volumes. If there is one player Somerset fear, it is Charlie because he can destroy them in more ways than one. Charlie has graced us all with great memories. Does he have one last trick in his hat?

Janeiro (Mr. Cup Match) Tucker on the other hand, is Somerset's most dangerous player. His hand/eye coordination is astonishing. One only has to look at the record books to see why he is nicknamed Mr. Cup Match because if there is one player you know will produce the goods come Cup Match it is Janeiro Tucker.

Landro Minors v

Deunte Darrell

Landroe is the man in form right now. He is hitting the ball cleaner than most. He is calm under pressure and has the ability to bat right through the innings with his impeccable concentration.

Deunte Darrell in future years will be a household name providing he keeps his head on his shoulders. He has all the ability in the world along with one key ingredient and that is confidence.

Chris Foggo v Jekon Edness

Chris' ability with the bat also speaks volumes. When Chris is in form he is by far the most fluent batsmen around. He is considered more of a batsman/wicketkeeper.

Jekon on the other hand is more of a wicketkeeper/batsman as his glovework is without doubt the best on the Island. Jekon's batting has improved over the years but Cup Match is a whole different ball game. Does he have the bottle (as the English would say) to produce the goods on Bermuda's biggest stage.

Lionel Cann v Jacobi Robinson

Lionel loves the big show. I cannot remember a Cup Match in which Lionel has failed. He is the type of player that lives for these moments. Lionel's confidence is what makes him the player he is and you can often hear him joking with the players saying "You realise all these people have come here to watch me bat".

Jacobi is Somerset's leader and loves the battle, he is a warrior. Jacobi is not afraid of a challenge. He is one of those players who have tremendous potential, but potential is only potential unless it is displayed out in the middle, only then does it become talent.

Delyone Borden v Dwayne Leverock

This is student v teacher.

Delyone is the student as he was Sluggo's understudy. Delyone's game has now escalated to the point that he is now the number one spinner on the Island. His flight and variation destroys teams week in and week out. Since Delyone has taken over the captaincy of St. David's his game has gone to another level with both bat and ball.

Sluggo, I am sure, would beg to differ that he is still the number one spinner in Bermuda. Face it, Sluggo has a big heart and he is another Somerset player that loves the battle. Sluggo will have to bring his 'A' game during Cup Match if Somerset are to have any chance of prying the cup away from St. George's.

Rodney Trott v Joshua Gilbert

Rodney brings with him loads of international experience. His all-round ability is a plus to the St. George's team. Rodney is a very intelligent player who on his day can cause any batsman trouble. Joshua is young, gifted and full of potential. Will he be able to rise to the occasion? Only time will tell! Picked for his bowling, which will be put to the test by the St. George's batsmen, Joshua will have to have mental toughness to overcome the situations that he may encounter.

Justin Pitcher v Jordan DeSilva

Justin started the season as Bermuda's most prolific fast bowler until struck by an injury. Having just come off of that injury, he is fit and raring to go. Not only dangerous with the ball, his ability to bat is an added bonus as he scored 60-odd in the final trial.

Jordan, on the other hand, brings variety to the Somerset bowling attack. He showed last year as a colt that he can play at this level as a few of the big dogs fell victim to his accurate bowling. I love his character as he is a fighter, a player who wears the club badge on his heart.

Stefan Kelly v Malachi Jones

Stefan is Mr. Experience! He has been exposed internationally while in school and with Bermuda. Stefan's four- wicket haul in the final trial stamps his mark that he is in good form and with this in mind if he gets it right on the day he can be more then a handful for the Somerset batsmen.

Malachi is without a doubt Somerset's most dangerous bowler. He has pace and control beyond his years. He has a fast bowler's mentality, which is aggressive. The big question is how many overs will Somerset get from him as he just recently starting playing again and potentially may lack bowling fitness.

Overall the teams balance out pretty evenly.

Somerset as challengers have more variety, which is the norm for challengers, who will be required to bowl St. George's out twice.

St. George's are champions and have a batting line-up so long that if bowled out twice it would be astounding. All in all Bermuda, we are in for some exhilarating cricket. The only thing left to set the stage for Cup Match is for a bumper crowd to show up at Wellington Oval to create an atmosphere like no other.

See you there!

Sports Editor's note: Clay Smith is the coach of the St. George's team.