Junior cricket could suffer, Kinder warns

THE development of the island's young cricketers could suffer if Guernsey rushes into membership of the International Cricket Council, one of Guernsey's most respected players has warned. Mike Kinder, the paid Channel Islands Cricket Board development officer for Guernsey, said that he can see the benefits of joining the ICC but he worries for the future of the excellent links that have been built up in recent years through the England and Wales Cricket Board.

'We must not rush into it for the sake of doing it and find that we have pulled the rug from underneath our feet,' said Kinder.

'Whereas I support it 100% as a good move for our seniors - the development of cricket for senior players would be fantastic - I am worried about where our juniors would stand.

'Really, we want the best of both worlds. Let development continue as it is but give the seniors this chance because for them it would be great.'

From CI youth cricket's point of view, Kinder is worried that severing links with the ECB could jeopardise development plans that have been established in recent years in both islands.

'There are a lot of uncertainties. In terms of our current development plans, we now have everything in place and have forged good links with Wiltshire, Hampshire and the west of England and we now play in various festivals at places such as Taunton and Canford regularly.

Although there are tournaments for youth cricketers through the ICC, the regularity of them and their place in the calendar also causes concern. Kinder gave examples why.

'The Under-19 World Cup is in Bangladesh in February and there is no way we could send people to a tournament like that in February.

'There are a lot of things to consider.'

Dave Clark, chairman of the Guernsey Young Cricketers Development Committee, was unable to comment fully on the situation as he still has several matters to discuss with the CICB, but he acknowledged that certain aspects need to be clarified.

'From our point of view, one obvious thing that concerns us is funding and we do need to find out what the implications are if we join the ICC,' he said.

Across the water, the Caesareans are cautious although they understand the reasons why Guernsey are looking to take the ICC route.

Jersey Cricket Assoc-iation president Albert Brown said that they are very happy with the ECB and will not jump into the ICC just for the sake of it.

'Numerous Jersey officials have been in discussions but we have not reached any conclusions yet,' he said.

'I am not predicting what we will do, the clubs will decide in the end. But at present, we are nowhere near taking a vote.

'We want to do what is best for Jersey cricket first and CI cricket second.'