Guernsey all-rounder is fast going places

DIVAN VAN DEN HEEVER has made a lasting impression on Devon Malcolm. The Guernsey all-rounder is arguably the quickest bowler in the island and the former England paceman obviously felt he has plenty of potential, although the young South African was coy over what it might lead to.

'Devon said he might be able to get me over to his county and spend some time there. We will see how it goes,' said van den Heever.

Island manager Dave Hearse revealed that both Malcolm and Steve Kirby had spotted that the Clubhouse Optimists player had a lot of talent.

'They were impressed with Divan's pace and there was talk of him possibly getting some specialist fast-bowling coaching in England,' Hearse said.

Now established as an integral part of the island squad, van den Heever has been enjoying the twice-weekly get-togethers, but particularly the one with Malcolm and Kirby on Sunday, which he described as 'brilliant'.

'The experience they have and knowledge of the game brought a lot to the guys,' he said.

'Devon helped me a lot, particularly action-wise.

'There was just so much that he taught us in such a short time. It is amazing how much one person knows about cricket.'

He also sang the praises of Kirby, who is becoming a familiar face to the Guernsey players.

'He is one of those guys who plays the game now as a county player, so he knows what is going on in and around cricket and it is good to be able to talk to him, especially with ICC competitions coming up soon for us.

'He teaches us a lot and is very down to earth,' van den Heever said.

'The good thing about these guys is that it is not a one-off. We can keep in contact with them through Dave and they always help us when they can.'

Meanwhile, van den Heever's close friend and countryman Andre van Rooyen is rejoining him at Optimists this season.

Van Rooyen played a couple of games for Total Cobo at the beginning of last summer before temporarily leaving the island. He returned to Guernsey in October.