Last year Steven Outerbridge, the former captain of Bailey's Bay, made a very bold statement: "If any player wishes to be chosen to play Eastern Counties for Bay in the future they must also play in Bailey's Bay's league team during that season".

Now that Rodney Trott has taken over the captaincy at Bailey's Bay, will he and his selectors adopt the same philosophy?

Bay have several guest players to choose from,but the two who have helped them the most in previous Eastern Counties have been the Marshalls – Charlie and Jahmiko.

One thing is for sure, stats do not lie. The Marshalls helped lead Social Club to their first-ever league title last year. Charlie currently tops the batting averages in Bermuda, while Jahmiko has produced the goods with both the bat and the ball in previous Eastern Counties games for Bay.

Bay thus far have held their own in the First Division.

However, after a recent thumping from Leg Trappers the Bay fans have been calling for several players to assist them in their plight to win back the Eastern Counties Cup.

Word has it that former players such as Deverae Hollis, Cory Hill and one or two others have shown their faces at training. Regardless of who they pick the big question is do Bay have enough quality to test what will most likely be a very strong St. David's team?

Yes, St. David's have been struggling, but they have an abundance of quality players to choose from, i.e. Faqrue Crockwell, Shannon Raynor, Sammy Robinson, Chris Douglas, Oronde Bascombe and George O'Brien just to name a few.

This past week while on tour to I managed to catch up with the former captain Steven Outerbridge and current captain Rodney Trott to see their views on how things are shaping up at Bay one week prior to the first Eastern Counties game.

Question and Answer

Steven: Even though you are not captain of Bailey's Bay, can you still see Bay following through with your bold comments that if you want to play Eastern Counties for Bay you better come and play league cricket for Bay?

Answer: Yes, the statement was made for the selection of future Eastern Counties games involving Bailey's Bay. Actually, it is now a Bailey's Bay Cricket Club policy. Why? Reason being Bailey's Bay is still in a rebuilding phase. Part of this process involves having faith and belief that the players that commit to our club's cricket programme will eventually be good enough to carry this club towards a successful future. The implementation of this plays a crucial role to the future of Bailey's Bay cricket.

Rodney: Has the words of former captain Steven Outerbridge put pressure on you as you venture into your first team selection as captain?

Answer: No, because I am going to go with the team that I feel will win the Counties Cup back and I will go with the strongest team regardless of who it is.

Rodney: Do you feel your team has enough quality to win and what is your team's strength's?

Answer: Yes, we do have enough quality to win the Eastern Counties back and right now our strength is in the batting department.

While it will be interesting to see who Bay pick, St.David's will have a few concerns themselves as they have been struggling like never before.

St. David's started off winning the 20/20, but since which they have struggled to maintain that form in limited overs cricket.

I can guarantee you, though, that they will be looking to take at least three to four guest players. If there is one trophy that St.David's pride, it is the Eastern Counties Cup.

In summary, both clubs are not exactly where they would like to be going into the first Eastern Counties.

Bailey's Bay will be in confusion over in which direction to go. Will they pick their team with an interest of winning at all costs or will they pick their team with the club's future and best interest at heart.

St.David's on the other hand have too much passion and love for Eastern Counties that they will probably drop several of their league players and take more established guest players.

At the end of the day, both teams will be strong in the batting but do Bay have enough bowling to win the trophy back, that is the real question.

Note: I would never forget last year when I played, hearing several Bay fans crying out 'why don't I get out of the game and give the youngsters a chance'.

Charlie wasn't available last year for Bay, but this year he is. I wonder if they are singing the same tune now.

Charlie, if you get selected, prove your own fans wrong. Show them that age is just a number and there is no substitute for experience. May the best team win, but whoever wins just know that Cleveland are coming harder then ever.