Derbyshire wants in

THE Guernsey Cricket Association has agreed a major sponsorship deal with the Kraken Group for its senior representative side. And one of the accounting and tax company's directors could be a player who benefits from the lucrative three-year agreement.

Former Essex and Lancashire cricketer Nick Derbyshire, who has signed to play for Rovers this season, looks a good bet to be involved with the island squad at some point this year.

He helped broker the deal from the Kraken side and his love of the game was one of the main reasons for the sponsorship coming about.

'I play cricket, I am passionate about it, and through our connections on the island we heard that the Guernsey side could be going into the ICC. That is something that attracted us and we wanted to put something into local sport to enable a Guernsey side to go out of their own environment and play in quality competitions,' said Derbyshire.

'We are a relatively new company in Guernsey and we wanted to fulfil two roles: to be involved in Guernsey sporting life and let people know we are alive and kicking and doing business in the Channel Islands.

'I have heard very good things about the Guernsey side. There is also an awful lot of competition between the islands and with the possibly of ICC competitions coming up, we thought this would be a good vehicle for us, to say the least.'

And the Kraken Group director, who is an opening bowler, expressed his desire to be involved as a player at representative level.

'It is definitely an aim of mine, but I am taking nothing for granted. There are obviously some very good cricketers here and you have got to do something impressive on the pitch to get recognition.

'It would be great, though, to sponsor the side and be playing against Jersey.

'I have been here only a short time but the competition and the competitive spirit in the island are astonishing. The closest I have come to it is in the Australian Grade system. That can only augur well,' Derbyshire said.

The level of finance provided by the three-year deal is being closely guarded, but it is understood to be well into five figures.

Island manager Dave Hearse thanked Kraken for its support of his side.

'Sponsors are always welcome because there are always costs to be met, especially if you are trying to achieve better things,' he said.

'We have got a high standard of first team playing for Guernsey but there is a view to improve in the longer term because if the ICC route comes along we are going to be up against quality opposition.'