Tomorrow “the mighty Flatts” will try to dethrone Cleveland County in the final of the Eastern Counties Cup. Flatts will attempt to do what Cleveland did against St David’s and end a drought that goes beyond 30 years without the trophy.

If Cleveland have learnt anything from this Eastern Counties series, it is not to take your opponents lightly because cricket is a game played on the field and not on paper. On paper, Cleveland have a very strong team who should be able to handle Flatts easily, but the reality is that cricket can humble. It has humbled the best of us. Therefore, I can assure you that we at Cleveland will not be taking Flatts lightly.

Our preparation for this match has been just as intense and detailed as for all the other matches. The only thing that remains of concern for us is their final team selection.

In Regino Smith and Kijuan Franks, Flatts have two potential match-winners. Regino, who is away in school, is expected to return. In previous years, he has shown his potential with some dazzling batting displays, which have had people question why he has not gone on to bigger and better things, such as the national squad. Kijuan has been Mr Consistent for Flatts all season. He has scored runs and bowled well this season, thus receiving Logic’s Player of the Week award in the First Division on more than one occasion.

Cleveland, on the other hand, have been forced to make one change to their team because veteran Aaron Adams is unavailable. In the previous game against Bailey’s Bay, he came in late in the innings and scored some valuable runs, but without his experience Peter Philpott, the other senior player in the team, could be asked to come up the order and do some batting if needed.

Cleveland will be oozing with confidence, having heavily defeated St David’s and gotten past a very strong Bailey’s Bay team. One thing Cleveland must be wary of, though, is overconfidence. Quite often, teams can get complacent and relax, thinking that all they have to do is show up and they will win the game. But before you know it, their backs are up against the wall and what seemed the impossible becomes the possible.

As coach of Cleveland, one thing I have preached to my players is to play the ball on its merit and to respect the opposition. Instead of looking at who is bowling the ball, play the ball for what it is worth. I remember going to the West Indies to play several years ago and before going an old-timer stopped me and said, “Once that ball leaves the bowler’s hand, it doesn’t have a name on it. This game is about bat and ball”. In this case I was emphasising to my players that it takes only one ball to get you out and regardless of who is bowling, a good ball is a good ball.

On another note, I must credit the Bailey’s Bay’s groundstaff for preparing two beautiful pitches thus far. We are hoping for the same come Saturday. A good wicket makes the world of difference and it is good for cricket. I have always believed that the players should decide the game with their qualities, not the pitch playing a significant factor in the outcome.

In what has been a very exciting Eastern Counties thus far, Flatts hope to make it a year to remember. However, Cleveland have other plans, as we look to handle our business in a very professional manner and do whatever it takes to retain the trophy. This has the making of a very entertaining game.

Quote of the week: “The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.” — John Madden