Logie talks up Guerns

THE International Cricket Council will have ample evidence that Guernsey can compete on the second tier of world cricket after their performances in Sussex this week. A six-wicket defeat by Bermuda in Eastbourne yesterday only advanced the notion that the dominant force in Channel Island's cricket are worthy of ICC Associate status and play alongside Bermuda, Namibia, USA, Canada, Holland, Uganda and the like.

Gus Logie, the former West Indian test batsman and coach, has no doubts of Guernsey's talent.

'All credit to them. I think they were quite disciplined in everything they did. I thought it was a clinical display, but they were probably 20 or 25 runs short,' said Logie, who has been coach of the Bermudian side for eight weeks and next week leads them into the ICC Trophy in Ireland.

No Guernsey player impressed Logie more than all-rounder Jeremy Frith, who again shone in all aspects of the game.

He added 55 to his 78 against Namibia, bowled tidily and was the side's outstanding fielder.

'He can mix it with the best of them,' said Logie, who also believes Guernsey's cause will be helped by the acquisition of coach Jack Birkenshaw.

'You have a coach who is very highly respected.'

Birkenshaw said that he was happy with the week's work, but will push for a more youthful line-up in the future.

The man who guided Leicestershire to a county championship said it was perhaps time to blood a couple of youngsters.

'It's imperative to have some youngsters coming through.

'We were probably 30 runs too light but it was never going to be a high scoring match.

'We've competed for 90% of the game today and yesterday. We've played very well for big percentages of the game.

'It's been a good three days and a good learning curve. Both teams have respected us.'