Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock is relishing his new role as a Somerset Cup Match selector.The wily left-arm spinner jumped at the chance to serve on the Cup Match champions’ selection committee when he was offered the role earlier this year and hasn’t looked back since.“I was asked would I be able to be one of the selectors, and I gladly took it onboard,” Leverock said. “I was hoping that at some point I would be a selector for a club that I respect and I’m thankful for all the years they gave me, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon after I retired from Cup Match.”Leverock is one of three new faces on Somerset’s selection committee this year, chairman Michael Corday and Jermaine Warner being the others. Gone are committee chairperson Charlotte (Molly) Simons and John Tucker and Francis Richardson.Somerset coach Jeff Richardson said Leverock‘s cricket expertise was a major asset to the champions’ Cup Match plans this year.“Sluggo is an individual who has a wealth of experience, not only playing the game at a local level, but playing the game internationally as well,” he said. “This is a gentleman who has participated in the World Cup.“Sluggo has played a few games for Rangers this season so he is still involved and knows who the guys are and he brings a hands on type of vibe to the selection committee.”Somerset thrashed St George’s by ten wickets on home turf last year to end their rivals’ seven-year reign as champions.“The guys have really gelled together since last year and it seems like they are going to be a force to be reckoned with for at least eight to ten years,” Leverock said. “Many years ago St Georges had a really good team and Somerset were rebuilding, and now it seems the shoe is on the other foot.“Somerset have a good, steady crop of players and it’s a very good nucleus of a few players that are close to their 30s or in their 30s and a couple of youngsters coming through who have played for the senior team or with Under-19s.”This year will mark the first time Somerset have defended the cup at Wellington Oval since losing the showpiece at the ground in 2005.To avoid a repeat of that disappointing performance, Leverock said Somerset’s players must remain positive in their approach from the first ball of the match to the last.“We have to adopt a positive approach and be mindful of the different situations as they arise,” he said. “We are coming with the cup and are looking to leave with the cup, but to achieve that you have to stay positive and be open to different situations because one moment you can be on top and the next you can be chasing the game.”Leverock believes Somerset possess enough firepower in their arsenal to claim a first win at Wellington Oval in more than three decades.“I feel this team is capable of giving themselves an opportunity to rewrite history,” he said. “It’s just a matter of going down there with the proper mindset and determination to do it.”As well as serving on Somerset’s selection committee, Leverock is sharing his bowling expertise with the club’s current crop of bowlers.“The bowlers have really been putting the effort and hard work in,” he said. “I’m giving the bowlers tips and work with them and I always encourage them be patient and work their lines. If they stay patient things will happen.”