Opening batter Chris Douglas was a complex casualty of two changes made to Somerset’s Cup Match team for this week’s two-day clash in the west end.

Coming in as replacements for the supremely talented and eccentric opening batter and retired captain Jordan DeSilva are colts Dominic Sabir and Jermal Proctor, both all-rounders.

Somerset Cricket Club  Co-cricket chairman Michael Corday explained the decision to drop Douglas and break the established, mostly productive opening partnership with Terryn Fray

“I’m not going to say anything with regard to that,” said Corday after emerging at 1am from a meeting to present the team to members.

“That is a strategic position that we’ve discussed and I’m not willing to contradict the skipper.”

Douglas almost lost his Cup Match place last year after being suspended but survived on a technicality in which his prospects as a guest player for St David’s in the Eastern Counties counted towards the suspension handed out when he was a Somerset club player.

This season has witnessed the enigmatic star player handed another four-game ban and Corday described this year’s selection process, the first under newly appointed captain Fray, as the most strenuous during his tenure.

“I was more impressed with the selectors tonight than I have been for a while,” he said.

“There were extensive debates and this was one of the hardest team selections we’ve ever had.

“The selectors decided on balance and they considered everything. Some things were discussed that made a lot of sense and to get to the team that we finished with wasn't easy, but it was based on facts, form and balance. There were contingency plans and all of that type of stuff.

“The general consensus was that because the match is in Somerset we need to get the younger players in the team. Those two guys are in tremendous form and we’ll have to make the changes eventually anyway.”

Proctor was glowing in his reward as the team was revealed, the fruits of a productive first half of the season.

“I’m just extremely excited about it,” said Proctor in the midst of being feted by supporters outside the club.

“It’s been an amazing event and any young cricketer here in Bermuda, that’s all we think about.

“I’ve always thought about making Cup Match and to make my debut up here in Somerset as a Somerset boy, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Asked how he felt about following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather Nathanial Proctor, a former Somerset captain, the teenager beamed in the darkness.

“It’s been a long time since a Proctor has been in the Somerset team, so it’s nice to continue the tradition,” he said.

Dion Stovell, who suffered a temporary finger dislocation on his right hand, in the final trial has been selected.