Hearse calls up Derbyshire

DAVE HEARSE has been forced into one change from the victorious inter-insular side for Guernsey's first game of the season. Glenn Milnes' back injury prevents him from playing against the MCC on Thursday and he has been replaced by Nick Derbyshire.

Otherwise, the island manager and his fellow selectors, Paul Wakeford and Dave Piesing, have kept faith with the players who defeated Jersey last August.

'The island team from last year deserves recognition for going unbeaten and most of them are in form anyway,' said Hearse.

With Milnes missing, Matt Oliver requires a new opening partner, but who that will be has yet to be decided.

Tim Duke is the most likely candidate to fill that spot, although Hearse suggested that throughout the season, the batting order could be shuffled around.

'That issue will be discussed prior to the game. There are perhaps four guys in the team who are all options, so there are several permutations,' he said.

'What I want to do is make sure that people get used to batting in different positions.

'In important games such as the inter-insular and the four-islands tournament, we might have to change our order to suit the situation we find ourselves in.'

The team is also packed with bowling options, with no fewer than eight players regulars in their club's attack.

But, of course, the interest centres on the newcomer from Rovers. Derbyshire has got more impressive as the season has progressed and last weekend's five-wicket haul against Cobo was a fine display of quick bowling.

'It looks as if now that he has had a few outings, he will be a more-than-useful addition to the squad,' Hearse said.

'He looks the part, he is keen and I think he will fit in well.'

Derbyshire will also play on Tuesday at the College Field but for the visitors when the MCC start their three-match tour against the GICC.

'I believe the MCC team is stronger than last year, which is great because we want to seriously test our players,' said Hearse.