Kamau Leverock was a glaring omission from the team that champions Somerset have chosen to defend Cup Match at Wellington Oval.

The all-rounder, who plays for English county side Nottinghamshire in the Second XI Championship, was ruled out because of injuries he suffered in a bike accident on Friday night.

“Kamau had an accident and has road rash all over his shoulder, and his left hand is bandaged,” Michael Corday, the Somerset chairman of selectors, said last night. “He got in a accident, so we just had things to consider and we hashed it about a lot and that’s what the selectors decided to go with.

“Kamau told us he can’t bowl because he has an injury and I think that’s why we didn’t see him explode with the bat because he had a badly bruised left hand. It wasn’t the Kamau we have been used to seeing in training sessions where he has been awesome.

“All this came into play and the selectors just decided that it’s probably wasn’t in his and our best interest, so that’s the route they took.”

Leverock relinquished his spot last year because of commitments with Nottinghamshire.

Somerset made two changes to their team from last year’s winning side, with all-rounder Derrick Brangman earning a recall and Alje Richardson coming in as a colt to fill the voids created by the retirement of former captain Jekon Edness and injury to batsman Tre Manders — also from a bike accident.

Brangman, who missed out in 2018 while serving a ban, took two for 35 for the President’s XI, who won the final trial by 69 runs.

Richardson, who is the son of coach Jeff Richardson and has developed his game while at Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, stroked a game-high 46 for the President’s XI batting at No 4.

Corday added: “I think Derrick is a no-brainer, while Alje the selectors just decided with his technique he is more mentally capable of dealing with going into St George’s.

“He is a very mature young man and his batting technique is exemplary.”

Somerset’s selection process was not without controversy, as batsman Deunte Darrell, who was also among those seeking a recall, was ruled out after being banned from St George’s Cricket Club, relating to an incident there two weeks ago.

“We got a call just prior to going into the selection room that Deunte has been banned from St George’s and he won’t be able to go down there,” Corday said. “Obviously, he would’ve been part of the discussion as well.

“I don’t know anything else except there was an incident he was involved in at St George’s and they have decided to ban him.”

Asked about the timing of the ban on the same day as the final trial, Corday said: “I don’t know why that would happen, but I’m sure St George’s have their reasons.”

Darrell’s hopes of being recalled last year were dashed because of injuries suffered in a bike accident, an apparent recurring theme with the West Enders.

“We tried to pick as balanced a team as we could,” Corday said. “We think that we do have a nicely balanced team, so we are quite satisfied.”