St. George's coach and selector Clay Smith has admitted to having a tough time selecting a side to successfully defend their Cup Match crown in Somerset because of the competition for places.

Incoming colts Mishael Paynter, Rudell Pitcher, and Allan Douglas jr., replace Glenn Blakeney jr, Landro Minors, and Stefan Kelly, while master blaster Lionel Cann retains his place.

Failing to make the cut were out-of-form batsman Fiqre Crockwell and seamers Kevin Tucker and Ryan Steede.

Smith, a cult figure for St. George's in the annual classic, is confident the trio of colts will be more than capable of handling the pressure of Cup Match.

"I'm confident in the squad we have selected," said Smith. "The colts we have brought in have all done well this season.

"Rudell has taken over 30 wickets and rightfully deserves his spot. Mishael has developed as a player and has shown us he's ready by being consistent.

"In Allan we have a raw talent and I hope that Bermuda gets to see his ability because he is naturally gifted.

"It was very difficult to pick our team, we have an abundance of quality in St. George's and it was very hard to leave out Fiqre Crockwell and Kevin Tucker.

"For Fiqre, he has had a tough time of things of late and last year batted tremendously well during pressure moments for us and even though he has had a tough season it was hard to leave him out.

"We decided to go with the in form batsmen and those who are in a good nick and have the confidence to get the job done. I have no doubt that we will go up to Somerset and get the job done."

Smith has been impressed with Paynter this campaign at promotion contenders St. George's while he insisted veteran Cann's spot was "never in doubt."

"Mishael is a St. George's boy and has put in years and years of service and has earned his spot through good performances.

"There have been some games this year where he has been the one who has dug us out of a hole. He has shown the mental toughness.

"To be honest Lionel's spot was never in doubt, he is to us what Janeiro is to Somerset.

"He always elevates his game for Cup Match and it was simply about him putting in the work in recent weeks. He has worked hard and it showed in the final trial when he scored some runs, so he's ready and is peaking at the right time."

St. George's will be taking a well-balanced team with a number of potential match-winners including spin twins Rodney Trott and Delyone Borden.

Smith travelled to the West End to watch some of the Somerset trial match, while also attempting to ascertain how the wicket was playing.

Although it is anyone's guess as to which wicket will be the official strip, Smith believes regardless of how it plays his team can thwart the challengers.

"I managed to get up to Somerset to see their trial for a little bit and see how the wicket was playing," he said. "I doubt they will play on that same wicket, the Cup Match wicket looked like the one next over. I'm sure on the day they will have a good track which will spin a little bit.

"This could work in our favour because we have arguably the two best spinners on the Island in Rodney and Delyone.

"Good spin bowlers are always a good thing, a trump card, but you can't look at how players get along for Bermuda and compare to Cup Match.

"There are some of them that look like they can't even bat, but when you put them in the Cup Match they look like totally different players.

"Spin will play a part and may set one team apart from the other but it's Cup Match and anything can happen."