Soloman Burrows, the Willow Cuts wicketkeeper, has been declared fit for his team’s Western Counties defence against challengers and hosts PHC in today’s second round at PHC Field.

Burrows was a doubt after injuring his hand while training with Bermuda’s Under-17 squad this week and sat out Cuts’ final practice session on Thursday.

However, Dexter Basden, the Cuts coach, confirmed yesterday that the promising 17-year-old has been given a clean bill of health.

“Soloman has informed me that his hand is okay and that he is available to play,” Basden said. “We rested him on Thursday and we’re glad he is fit enough to continue playing.”

Opening the innings, Burrows underlined his enormous potential by thumping a counties best 76 in his team’s emphatic 127-run first round victory over challengers Warwick at the same ground a week ago.

“Soloman is a very classy left-handed batsmen,” Basden said. “He looked very confident against Warwick and maybe he can go for a century against PHC.”

Cuts had not released their squad at press time yesterday.

But it is expected the cup holders will make only one change with either Kwasi James or Chris Douglas getting the nod as a guest player.

On paper, Cuts are the firm favourites to retain their title.

However, Basden isn’t looking past today’s opponents who, like first round opponents Warwick, play in the First Division.

“We are not taking PHC for granted,” Basden said. “We are not taking them for granted because the game is played on the field and not on paper.”

Challengers PHC have named two colts in a youthful squad.

Making their debuts in the competition are Kacy Greene, the seam bowler, and Tyrique Smith, the leg spinner and son of former PHC coach Mark Smith.

The challengers have also included former club player Coefield Robinson, the wicketkeeper, in their squad as a guest player.

Del Hollis, the PHC assistant coach, believes his players are capable of upsetting the cup holders.

“All I want is for our players to go out there and play to the best of their ability and if they do then we should be all right,” Hollis said. “We don’t have that much experience but it’s a young team with loads of experience.

“They have the trophy so the pressure is more on them while our team is young and hungry and want to do well. And if we can minimise extras, hold our catches and play to our potential then we should be successful.”

Meanwhile, domestic league action resumes tomorrow after being suspended last weekend for the funeral of Fiqre Crockwell.

In the Logic Premier League, unbeaten leaders St David’s travel to Southampton Oval to face defending champions Southampton Rangers, while other match ups see Western Stars hosting second placed Bailey’s Bay at St John’s Field and Cleveland County doing battle with Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval.

In First Division action, leaders Devonshire host Somerset Cricket Club at Devonshire Recreation Club, second placed Flatts host Warwick at Lords while PHC will lock horns with Somerset Bridge at PHC Field.

Third placed St George’s Cricket Club have a bye.

All matches begin at 11am.

• Bailey’s Bay, who won promotion last season, have withdrawn from the Evening Cricket League, organisers have confirmed.

Bay completed the Second Division double by winning the league and cup last year but have struggled in the Premier Division, calling it quits after finishing bottom at the halfway stage.

Bay’s departure leaves seven teams battling for honours.

Renegades are top with 16 points, one ahead of Tuff Dogs.

Belmont, who completed the league and cup double last season, lie sixth on seven points.

PHC top the Second Division standings with 14 points, one ahead of BCB Academy.

New team The Legends, an offshoot of Premier Division side The Associates, are bottom with one point.