Star Kiwi ruled out

GLENN MILNES has ruled himself out of the inter-insular. Although it is still five weeks to the Cherry Godfrey Challenge clash with Jersey at Grainville, the Randy Paddle Mavericks captain has informed island manager Dave Hearse not to consider him for selection due to his back injury.

The New Zealander has been restricted to just two Carey Olsen Championship matches and one Barclays Premier One game.

'He may well play one or two more club games before this season is out, but in his own mind he could not guarantee getting through a 100-over match,' said Hearse.

'It is a shame but hopefully he will get it sorted out over the winter and come back next season with renewed enthusiasm.'

Milnes was unavailable for comment yesterday.

With the main event of the season fast approaching, there are also question marks over a couple of the other members of last year's victorious Guernsey side, most notably Justin Ferbrache.

The Total Cobo wicketkeeper, who together with Pierre Moody performed the ninth-wicket heroics that saw Guernsey home at the KGV last season, did not play against the Navy under-25s at his own request.

Ferbrache is also having back problems, which was the main reason behind his break from the island squad.

'The top of my spine has been playing me up and after games I am suffering,' he said, before adding that the pain is affecting his work as a carpenter.

'In the last couple of weeks it has not been too bad because we have not been playing much, but usually we are playing on a weekend and then in the evening a couple of days later, I was not able to commit fully to training, which Dave deserved.'

Ferbrache and Hearse will be discussing the situation within the next couple of weeks, although the manager was very understanding of the player's point of view.

'He asked me for a break from the squad, partly because of the injury and also because he has a lot on his plate since returning from New Zealand,' Hearse said.

'He played an integral part in last year's game with his batting and his keeping although he keeping has suffered a bit this year with his injury.'

Hearse added that he has several options with the gloves anyway.

'As far as I can see it, we have got three very good keepers in Justin, Richard Headington and Ian Damarell.

'Both Richard and Ian are having a very good season behind the stumps and obviously Richard's hundred against the Navy helped his cause. It is still a possibility just to play him as an opener.

'I would say that there are quite a few places that have not been cemented yet,' said Hearse.

In the next few days, the Guernsey management team will be reviewing the situation with regards players' form and availability before the B inter-insular at the KGV on Sunday 25 July.

The manager also said that the squad for the Four Islands Tournament will need to be selected soon to allow players to take time off work during that week so there is limited time left to stake a claim for a place.

'We try and give ever player an equal opportunity but we will have to disappoint some people,' the manager added.