The dropping of Lionel Cann this year has signalled a new era in Cup Match, with no pre-millenlial players left in the classic.

Somerset lost their own veteran two years ago, when Janeiro Tucker bowed out after more than two decades, and now with Cann gone, neither team has a player who played Cup Match in the 1990s. Tucker made his debut in 1992, while Cann came in the next year. Both went on to score 1,000 runs in the Annual Classic, two of only five to achieve the feat.

Now Stephen Outerbridge, of Somerset, and the recalled Oronde Bascome of St George’s go back the farthest, with debuts in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Outerbridge is the highest aggregate run scorer among the present players, with 399 runs from 14 innings.

OJ Pitcher, the former St George’s captain who is missing his second straight Cup Match because of health issues, leads the modern-day players with 560 runs in 19 innings since making his debut in 1999. Chris Douglas, of Somerset, is 50th on the all-time list with 362 runs.

Somerset remain the more experienced — and settled — team, with only two changes, while St George’s have changed half their team, bringing in four colts.

Jordan DeSilva, in his third year as Somerset captain, is marking his tenth year in Cup Match this year along with Chris Douglas, who also made his debut in 2009. Malachi Jones, Dion Stovell and Jekon Edness were colts in 2006.

For St George’s, the next longest-serving player behind Oronde Bascome is Allan Douglas Jr, who made his debut in 2010 along with the returning Mishael Paynter, who is playing in only his second Cup Match.

Temiko Wilson, Chare Smith, Charles Trott and Detroy Smith are making their debuts, Wilson as wicketkeeper, Smith and Trott as part of the new-ball attack along with Zeko Burgess, while Smith will be relied upon as an all-rounder.

“The two youngsters, Chare and Charles, I always knew they would eventually become a part of the team,” Damon Walker, the chairman of the St George’s selectors, said. “This year they looked really good in the trial.

“Detroy Smith is a very talented all-rounder, and that’s what we need to win the cup back, somebody to take wickets and produce the runs. They have the talent to do it.”

St George’s opted for Wilson as wicketkeeper over Sinclair Smith, who had an outstanding debut two years ago when he scored 31 and 42. Wilson will also be one of their front-line batsmen.

“To put icing on the cake, he joined our league programme this season and helped us compete for the league title,” Walker said. “To me, he was pretty much automatic.”

The East Enders made six changes to their team, with seven players in all selected from the league team, who finished third in the One 50 Overs Premier Division.

“I spoke to several players individual and told them the opportunities are there for you,” coach Ryan Steede said.

The selectors did not need to see Douglas bat or bowl in the final trial match as they looked at other options, but he will be a key man in both departments.

Somerset opted to make only the two changes that were forced on them, with the unavailability of Kamau Leverock and Derrick Brangman. Steven Bremar, the Cleveland captain, and Kwasi James, of Willow Cuts, are their two colts.

Bremar has been in good form lately, with back-to-back centuries for Cleveland, who won the Eastern Counties first-round tie against Bailey’s Bay on July 21 and gained the automatic promotion spot from the First Division the next day.

SOMERSET

(debut year in parentheses)

Jordan DeSilva (captain, 2008)

Terryn Fray (2011)

Dion Stovell (2006)

Malachi Jones (2006)

Jekon Edness (2006)

Tre Manders (2012)

Stephen Outerbridge (2004)

Chris Douglas (2008)

Greg Maybury (2012)

Steven Bremar (colt)

Kwasi James (colt)

Reserves: Alje Richardson, Dalin Richardson, Sheldon Caesar

ST GEORGE’S

Macai Simmons (captain, 2015)

Oronde Bascome (2006)

Temiko Wilson (colt)

Allan Douglas (2010)

Onias Bascome (2013)

Chare Smith (colt)

Treadwell Gibbons (2012)

Zeko Burgess (2013)

Detroy Smith (colt)

Charles Trott (colt)

Mishael Paynter (2010)

Reserves: Nzari Paynter (2017), Isaiah Greaves, Q’Shai Darrell