St George’s stalwart Rodney Trott has ruled himself out of Cup Match this year,

The absence of the former vice-captain, who has been in and out of the side since 2006, means St George’s are guaranteed to make at least two changes to their team after Charles Trott was forced to miss most of the domestic cricket season with a serious leg injury.

Rodney Trott has been unable to attend training sessions at Wellington Oval as a result of work commitments and is leaving the island today, making him unavailable for the final trial on Saturday, when St George’s will select the group of players who will try to wrestle the trophy away from Somerset in eight days’ time.

While he will be on the island for the Annual Classic, the 36-year-old Trott, who has been a dependable all-rounder for Clay Smith’s side for the best part of two decades, will be a spectator at 6 Cricket Lane next week.

“For me, Cup Match is for the younger guys and as I’m getting older now, I’ve got a couple of things that I want to do for myself, so I’m not going to worry about Cup Match this year,” Trott told The Royal Gazette.

“At the beginning of the season I did not play much cricket because I was doing a lot of work. Something also happened to my son and I’m going away with him on Wednesday, but I’ll be back for Cup Match and I’ll be cheering on St George’s 100 per cent.

“One thing about me when it comes to sporting events is that if I can’t give it my all, then I’ll sit on the side because I’m the type of guy that likes the training part.

“I’m soon turning 37, I retired from international cricket last year and I’m not going to give a full-time commitment to cricket right now.

“If I can’t give a full commitment, it’s not right for me to try and play Cup Match when I know full well that I can’t put in the work that I normally put in. Next year could be different, but this year I’ll definitely be on the sidelines.”

The 2013 Annual Cup Match Sportsmanship Award winner commended his Bailey’s Bay captain, Terryn Fray, who was announced as the new Somerset team leader, taking over the role from Jordan DeSilva.

“I would also like to say congratulations to Terryn as he’s the first Bay player to be captain of any Cup Match team,’’ Trott said.

“That’s massive and at the end of the day I want St George’s to win but I’m definitely happy for him to be in that role.”

Coach Smith paid tribute to Trott’s contribution to the Cup Match side but insists his focus has always been on players committed to the cause.

“I haven’t seen him at training but there’s no problem and I just go with the players that are available at training,’’ Smith said.

“He’s been an important part of the team, a good all-round cricketer, and very knowledgeable about the game.

“As you know, everything comes to an end and he’ll be missed, but we have to have a contingency plan. We have to bring in younger and fresher players who are very enthusiastic and are hungry to play.

“We thank Rodney for his services over the years and only he knows if this is the end for him.”

Trott’s absence seemingly opens the door for left-arm spinner Kevon Fubler to make his debut after performing well for St George’s since he joined them on loan from Willow Cuts.

Proven with ball in hand, Fubler’s lower-order batting has also been decent and his name will feature prominently when the Wendell Smith-led selection panel meets on Saturday.

At the top of the order, Azendé Furbert and Treadwell Gibbons Jr’s positions are not secure, with chances high that the two could be overlooked, with Furbert failing to convince selectors with a lack of runs in the two St George’s trial matches.

Oronde Bascome, the last St George's captain to win the Annual Classic in 2011, Nzari Paynter and Jonté Smith are all pushing for recalls, with wicketkeeper Jarryd Richardson and Marcus Scotland considered leading hopes to be picked as colts.