Guernsey batsmen spared

DEVON MALCOLM spared the Guernsey batsmen the full force of his raw pace when he joined senior island squad for training on Sunday. The former England fast bowler, perhaps most famous for taking nine for 57 against South Africa at the Oval in 1994 after muttering 'you guys are history' when he was hit by a bouncer while batting, was coaching in the island at the invitation of Jack Birkenshaw.

The Guernsey Cricket Board's technical director used to coach Malcolm in county cricket.

Malcolm was joined by fellow first-class cricket paceman Steve Kirby, another of Birkenshaw's proteges who was on his second trip to help out with the Guernsey squad.

'The players enjoyed it and they got something out of it,' said island manager Dave Hearse.

'It is great having a very successful international cricketer come over and run through some things with us. He got on well with players and there was some good banter with him.

'It was the second time Steve has been over this winter and he seems to enjoy the camaraderie. He said it was excellent within the squad and that's important.'

In the three-and-a-half-hour-long session, Malcolm and Kirby covered many aspects of cricket - particularly the one-day game that the Sarnians will be facing in ICC competitions should the affiliate membership application be approved this summer.

They talked through scenarios that players encounter as well as tactics to employ such as what to look out for as a batsman, what balls bowlers should bowl and how to approach the game from a group perspective.

'Batsmen and bowlers have to work out their opponents, the pitch and other conditions very quickly so that they can set their game-plan accordingly - it is not just down to the captain. We are trying to make a squad of thinking cricketers,' Hearse said.

During the net session they put these aspects into practice by giving specific targets and scenarios to the players.

Hearse said the session was of 'top quality'.

'It complements what the coaches from Sussex - Keith Greenfield and Mark Robinson - did the week before. The players got a lot out of that session as well and you are always going to learn from these people.

'Steve mentioned the fact that we are international cricketers of a type and the need to keep improving.

'He also said that the players do look fitter than when he was over the last time and they should be applauded for that.

'We started from a fairly low level of fitness and you don't change that overnight - it is a long road.

'But I am very pleased with how things are going,' the island manager said.

The visitors also had sessions with some of the island's junior squad and Malcolm was impressed with the talent Guernsey has coming through.

'He coaches all ages and said that we have got some cracking young players over here,' Hearse said.