Guernsey can go as far as they want to

THE man in charge of developing cricket in Europe was not surprised by Guernsey's performances in their first international matches. Richard Holdsworth is the International Cricket Council's European development manager and was crucial to the island's acceptance into the ICC.

Last week, the island team went to Sussex to face Namibia and Bermuda and even though defeated by these two well-established international sides, Dave Hearse's men acquitted themselves as well as they could in both matches.

'I'm not that surprised,' said Holdsworth.

'It was pretty much par for the course. Guernsey has a good cricketing culture, they have a cricket development officer and they have good youth schemes.

'They did well against the Scottish academy sides and it was a huge test for them to face Namibia and Bermuda.

'It's made them realise where they are and what they need to do in the future.'

Based at the home of cricket, Lord's, Holdsworth is currently in Belfast for the ICC Trophy, in which the top five teams qualify for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

The ex-Gloucestershire player has an impressive CV.

He was the development manager for Gloucestershire for eight years. Following that he worked for the England and Wales Cricket Board in its performance department and was instrumental in setting up the new ECB coaches' association.

He has been in his present role for the last two years and he also found time to coach the Portuguese national team, taking them to two European tournaments.

Holdsworth visited the island last year as part of the assessment of the island for ICC membership.

'I came over to Guernsey to meet the cricket board and to look at the facilities.

'Guernsey is in a good position. I was very impressed with the infrastructure.

'It has a lot of facilities, good investment, good structure and good people running the show. It has a chance to develop.'

Not only is Holdsworth enthusiastic about the development of cricket here, but also in Europe as a whole.

He has seen a massive improvement in the standard of cricket coming from nations and he enjoys their fresh approach to the sport that is in contrast to the cucumber-sandwich element that does creep into the English game.

'Cricket in Europe has changed a lot,' he said.

'They also come to the game with a clean sheet. They don't have the traditions that we have and they have no preconceptions.

'The development of the sport has been amazing. At the end of 1997 when we launched the development programme, there was just one tournament in Europe.

'Last year there were 13. The improvement in the standard has been incredible and the results are starting to come out.'

The ICC man is bullish about Guernsey chances of success in the future, but points to the fact that the island's destiny is in their own hands.

The aim is for Guernsey to get promotion from Europe division two into division one to play the likes of Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Denmark.

After this, to go to the ICC Trophy in 2009 to get entry to the World Cup in 2011.

'It a big goal to set themselves, but one that is achievable,' Holdsworth said. 'Your guys should think about how serious this will become and it will become as serious as they want it to be.'