Michael Corday, the chairman of Somerset’s selectors, moved swiftly yesterday to allay concerns over the fitness of Cup Match hopeful Deunte Darrell.

The Willow Cuts all-rounder suffered road rash in a bike accident and did not take part in Somerset’s final training session on Thursday to ignite doubts over his fitness on the eve of the champions’ final trial match today.

“He had a little accident, nothing serious,” was all Corday was prepared to say on the matter when approached.

Darrell, who has been named in the Vice-President’s XI for today’s final trial at Somerset, is a strong contender to be recalled to the champion’s team a second time after a two-year absence.

He made his Cup Match debut as a colt for the West Enders at Wellington Oval in 2009 and the following year stroked a polished knock of 72 at Somerset to earn MVP honours.

However, his Cup Match career was interrupted when he lost his place in Somerset’s team in 2012 while serving a Bermuda Cricket Board suspension.

He was recalled in 2014 and featured the following year before moving abroad in 2016.

For the second straight year Corday and his colleagues on Somerset’s selection committee have been forced to make at least two changes to their team because of the unavailability of experienced all-rounders Kamau Leverock and Derrick Brangman. Leverock is back playing in Britain for Nottinghamshire second XI while Brangman is serving a one-year Bermuda Cricket Board ban for breaching its Code of Conduct.

Somerset were forced to make two changes last year after Janeiro Tucker and Jacobi Robinson, the former captains, retired in 2016.

Others trying to force their way into Somerset’s team include Steven Bremar — who recently captained Cleveland County to an upset over Eastern Counties holders Bailey’s Bay — Warwick seam bowler Chare Smith and Southampton Rangers seam bowlers Sheldon Caesar and Nirobi Mills.

Jordan DeSilva, the Somerset captain, will lead the President’s XI while the Vice-President’s XI will be captained by Terryn Fray.

Somerset’s final trial starts at 10am with the players asked to be at Somerset Cricket Club by 9am.