The stage is set for an exciting showdown pitting one of the most formidable opening bowling and batting combinations against each other in the second round of the Western Counties featuring holders Somerset Bridge and challengers Warwick at White Hill Field today.

The explosive Kamau Leverock and fellow guest player Jermal Proctor are again expected to share the new ball for Bridge and will come up against the in-form Warwick opening batting pair of Malachi Jones and Luke Horan, who have amassed an astonishing 526 runs in their previous two visits to the crease.

Jones admits he and teenager Horan have their work cut out, but believes they can rise to the challenge.

“Saturday will be a slightly different test for us as we have been facing First Division bowling, so coming up against Kamau and Proctor up front should be interesting,” Jones told The Royal Gazette.

“But, as long as we continue to do what we have been doing, we should be just fine. We have been starting very slow in the first ten overs so nothing we will look to change tomorrow. Same rules apply.”

Jones and 15-year-old all-rounder Horan produced what is believed to be a record 347-run partnership against rivals Southampton Rangers last month.

“Luke has been doing most of the talking in the middle, which is maybe hard to believe, but his cricket IQ is really high,” added Jones, who has also taken 13 wickets with his right-arm seam. “He studies the game a lot and has a promising future.”

Jones heads into the match on the verge of a remarkable hat-trick having thumped 195 and 117 in his previous two innings.

“Being on a hat-trick of centuries is something new for me as I have never got back-to-back centuries before, so that alone I am proud of,” he added.

“Going into the game I am not going to change anything, just continue to try do the right things and bat time, which allows me to build an innings. I can always catch up later.

“My scores lately have looked aggressive, but they have really be very patient batting 47 overs and 33 respectively.”

Warwick have been reinforced by guest players Delray Rawlins and Tre Manders along with seamer Jamar Stovel, who is back on island from studies at Oxford Brookes University in England.

“We will have the likes of Delray again with a new inclusion of Tre Manders so that will give our middle order some solidity,” Jones said.

“With our youngsters back from school we look a much better outfit, so I think we should have enough to get over the line.”

Bridge thrashed challengers PHC by eight wickets in the opening round of the competition at White Hill Field last weekend, with Leverock and Proctor claiming five wickets between them,

Man of the match Leverock also struck an unbeaten 44 from just 14 balls to go along with his three-wicket haul.

Elsewhere today, St George’s will take on St David’s in their second Cup Match trial at Lord’s.

Action continues tomorrow with leaders St George’s hosting Premier Division 50 overs rivals Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval, St David’s, will do battle with Western Stars at Lord’s while Somerset take on Cleveland at Somerset Cricket Club.

This weekend’s top match in the First Division 50 overs sees leaders Warwick squaring off against fellow title and promotion contenders Devonshire Rec at Devonshire Recreation Club, Southampton Rangers host Flatts at Southampton Oval while PHC take on Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field.