Young fast bowler Jahre Blakeney and top-order batter Coolidge Durham have been selected to play for Bailey’s Bay in the Eastern Counties Cup final against Flatts tomorrow.

Blakeney has reaped rewards for his brilliant display with ball in hand for Gus Logie’s side by being picked as a colt and he comes into the side as a replacement for Stephen Outerbridge, the club president, who surpassed the 1,000-run mark in Eastern Counties against Cleveland County.

The 19-year-old, who is part of the African Caribbean Engagement programme in Manchester, England, has been outstanding in league cricket for Bay. Last month, he picked up four wickets for 34 runs to help his side defeat St George’s, the eventual 50-over league champions.

While he has been at Sea Breeze Oval for years and was selected as a reserve for Eastern Counties at the age of 14 in 2019, this has been Blakeney’s best season.

Durham has been recalled after last tasting Eastern Counties action in the 2022 final, in which he opened the batting with Rodney Trott. He has been brought in as an opening batting replacement for Azendé Furbert, who is off island. Durham, 43, has been preferred to the younger Sharye Tavares, who has been named as reserve.

Commenting on the team selection soon after revealing it to members at the club on Wednesday, Bay captain Terryn Fray spoke on the two changes to his side.

“We saw it as an opportunity to bring in a young player,’’ said Fray on Blakeney’s inclusion.

“Stephen’s done well, I think that 1,000-run mark has made him feel accomplished.

“The young guy has been bowling well and has probably our best seam bowler this season. He deserves it so we have given him an opportunity shine on that big day.

“If anyone’s watched him bowl since he came back from England, he’s put in the yards. He bowled exceptionally well against Somerset on Sunday and he’s bowled really well since he’s been back.

“Stephen is a middle-order batter and we couldn’t really justify dropping any of the other seamers, so we went with an extra bowler.

“We’ll play with the batting order if we have to, but I think for now it’ll probably be the same with Coolie at the top.

“Coolie comes in as the opening batter and it’s nice to have him part of the squad. Even with Stephen out, the batting is still there in this different format with more overs to play in a decent wicket down at St David’s.

“We have batsmen that sit up and bat as well as guys that graft. I think the competition lends itself to our style of play, so we should be fine.”

Bay are looking to win Eastern Counties for the third year in a row after they dethroned St David’s in 2022 with an emphatic 80-run win in the final at Lord’s. Last year they were named champions after the final against Cleveland become the first sporting casualty of the 2023 hurricane season.

“Fingers crossed the weather is conducive for cricket so that we can put on a good show for the fans,’’ Fray said.

“This is who we play for down here at Bailey’s Bay and this is our Cup Match. Everyone gets excited for this, the guys have trained well this week, everyone’s in good spirits and looking forward to the final round of Eastern Counties.”

Bay are not taking Flatts lightly, despite blowing them away by six wickets in the second round last year.

“It’s Flatts, they’re in the competition and they rightfully deserve to be there,’’ Fray said.

“We know it’s going to be a good match this weekend. They have some good talent in their team and they've done well over the years.

“We tick all the boxes, no matter who we play. We train just as hard, pick competitive teams and try to cover all bases.”