Tests will get harder for ever-improving Guernsey

DISCIPLINE and unity are the key words being used by Guernsey's management team following the highly successful trip to Scotland. The Sarnians went to Edinburgh looking to claim at least one win against the Scottish Academy.

They returned with a perfect three out of three record and proof that they can compete at a very good level.

The Guernsey squad obviously still have some way to go and much to learn before ICC competition comes upon them, but they could not have made a more promising start.

Coach Jack Birkenshaw believes this group has the makings of a fine team and that their togetherness has already paid dividends.

'To play three games of 50-over cricket on the trot is a tough ask and it was a wake-up call for some of the players,' he said.

'There were not many fit enough to play all three games, but the passion to win for Guernsey was what brought them through.

'Because they are all mates, it is a big asset. We have got a good mix of characters, there is good humour in the side and they all have a part in it. A lot of counties do not have that. There is no jealousy and there is a good camaraderie.'

In terms of lessons learnt, it was unsurprising to hear that the most prominent one was that, at this level, mistakes are pounced upon mercilessly.

Island manager Dave Hearse pointed particularly to the bowling and how the Scots punished anything loose.

'Every time a bad ball was bowled, it was dispatched,' he said. 'We learnt the importance of discipline, of bowling in the right places and keeping it going to the end.

'We have still got to improve our discipline.'

Birkenshaw added: 'Discipline is paramount if you are going to be a good cricket team - both on and off the field.'

The major asset that Guernsey had in their armoury, though, was spin.

Hearse said that his trio of Gary Rich, Jeremy Frith and Aaron Scoones got the side off the hook on a couple of occasions while Birkenshaw enthused about their control, saying Rich in particular 'was brilliant'.

However, the coach warned that it will not always be the case that Guernsey will bowl sides out during 50-over games.

'We always picked wickets up at the right times in Scotland. That will not always happen,' Birkenshaw said.

'There will be times when there will be stands building through the innings and slogging at the death. We will have to cope with that.'

'The Scotland sides were good teams and all the players were trying to get into the Scotland A team so they were all up for it. They were probably under more pressure than we were in that respect.

'They seemed to be slipping in better batters as the games went on, but they just did not perform for their coach.

'In fairness, the white ball does a bit early on and they did not play the spinners at all.'

Hearse was pleased with the way his squad reacted when put under pressure and that they took the chances which came their way.

'The quality of the catching was fantastic and the ground fielding got better over the three days. But, I must say, the Scots' fielding was tremendous,' he said.

The manager also emphasised the important role played by the new coach.

'We worked on their approach as a team to the game and game situations. They all know what's going on and why and it is not all left down to the captain. That is where Jack is invaluable. He has got a whole wealth of experience and looks to keep the game simple.'

Next up for Guernsey is a tougher test - a trip to Sussex to play Namibia and Bermuda. For those sides these are vital warm-up fixtures before the ICC Trophy in Ireland where they can earn a place in the 2007 World Cup.

Hearse wants his troops to build on their Scottish experience and what they have learnt from such a demanding schedule.

'It is the first time they have done it. It was a learning tour to find out what we need to do on these trips and how to approach them with the onset of ICC cricket and other games to come,' he said.

'These guys have set their own standards and the bar is high: now it has to be pushed a little higher. They have coped with what has been put in front of them so far. The next challenge they face will be harder.'