Debuts for SA duo?

TWO uncapped South Africans are closing in on their first inter-insular appearances. The Optimists duo of GH Smit and Andre van Rooyen have both made Dave Hearse's final 13 which will be whittled down to the starting XI after the opening round of the KPMG CI Club Championship this weekend.

Van Rooyen has been involved with the island squad for some time and came close to being selected the last time Guernsey played Jersey at the KGV two years ago.

Smit's inclusion in the 13 is no surprise after a string of impressive and dominating performances with the bat.

However, Hearse is keeping his options open at this stage.

'I more or less know my XI,' said the island manager.

'I have still got one slight doubt because I just want to make sure we get the balance of the side right.

'We do have different options depends on the condition, both in the batting and the bowling.'

The management team have not ruled out the possibility of going into the inter-insular with three spinners and other aspects still open for debate are the batting order and who should open the bowling.

But the versatility of the Guernsey squad is one of its major strengths, as was proved last year when, despite losing early wickets, the Sarnians eased to a comfortable victory.

'Whoever the players selected are, those 11 will do a fine job,' he said.

'It is a good squad and all of them are in decent form at the moment.'