The pitch at Sea Breeze Oval likely holds the key as to whether a definite result can be achieved when challengers Cleveland take on champions Bailey's Bay in today's second round of the Eastern Counties.

This according to Cleveland's skipper Aaron Adams and opening batsman Grant Smith, who each highlighted the propensity for Bay groundsmen to prepare heavily rolled, docile wickets favouring the batsmen -- almost certainly guaranteeing a draw and successful retention of the trophy by the home team.

Smith went even further to say that Bay's -- and other's -- use of the big roller should be stopped as it is eroding the excitement factor of the game.

"In Eastern Counties matches, just like in Cup Match, the pitch holds the key to the outcome and traditionally Cup Match and Eastern Counties wickets are deliberately killed,'' said Smith, who will carry a great part of the scoring burden for Cleveland.

"There are deliberate ploys by cup holders to make sure challengers don't get the chance at winning because of lifeless wickets.

"I think the big Works and Engineering type rollers that they sometimes use should be banned, you don't see them used at Test or county level and they shouldn't be here. It's things like that, that are killing cricket.'' Hope reigns among the Cleveland camp that turn can be extracted during the course of the Bay innings as it is there where the Harris Bay club's strength lies.

Left-arm spinner Hasan Durham, collector of 56 scalps this season, has been drafted into the line-up as a colt to team up with fellow leg-break bowler Johnny Richardson, increasing the challengers' options.

Corey Lowe and either Andre Smith or Jermaine Postlethwaite appear likely to open the bowling, but their task will likely be just to remove the shine in order for Durham and Richardson to begin weaving their magic.

Peter Philpott and Curtis Jackson are alternatives with the ball, meaning that the challengers have plenty of spin bowling options.

Touted in pre-season as possibly contenders for league and other honours Cleveland have again promised to deceive, at one point appearing world beaters the next little more than schoolboy standard, and even Adams yesterday could not predict how they will play today.

"Our team is unpredictable, but we know we can rise to the occasion and I'm hoping that on the day we can find a way to put it all together,'' said Adams, fully aware that his team's season will end with anything short of victory.

He also dismissed assertions by Bay skipper Ricky Hill that Cleveland simply could not score fast enough to guarantee a result in their favour.

"In my opinion, in the past the batting has not been up to par, but with Grant (Smith) and Allan (Douglas) we can score fast enough. It doesn't matter who is bowling if Allan is on form.'' If, as expected a perfect batting strip is effected Adams said that he would prefer to bat first and be able to declare by 2.30 p.m. no matter what the total, intimating that he would be satisfied with anything in the region of 180 to 220 runs.

However, as far as predictions he stopped short of making a definite forecast.

"We will be giving 110 percent and the only thing I can promise for the fans is an exciting match.'' Cleveland: Aaron Adams (captain), Curtis Jackson (vice-captain), Jermaine Postlethwaite, Allan Douglas, Johnny Richardson, Andre Smith, Corey Lowe, Grant Smith, Hasan Durham (colt), Peter Philpott, Albert Jenkins.