'We can cope' - Piesing

GUERNSEY cricket is not over-stretching itself financially or in terms of meeting the required standards in entering the international arena. That is the message of GCB chairman Dave Piesing in the wake of news that Guernsey could soon be stepping onto the global stage, in addition to the European circuit.

'We are not biting off more than we can chew,' he said.

'The finances will take care of themselves,' said a confident Piesing who envisages Guernsey being strong enough to break into the world's top-30 nations and contest the 2009 World Cricket League.

Piesing's confidence stems from the fact that 70% of travel costs for tournaments will be covered by the ICC and that in less than two years Guernsey can expect an annual windfall from the ICC approaching US$100,000.

'It's likely that in June 2007 we will become associate members and then we will be entitled to three or four times the amount we get from the ECB.'

While some cynics fear Guernsey are expecting too much from their top players in terms of commitment and preparation, Piesing is not among them.

'I have no doubt it will be sustainable,' he said.

In 2005, Guernsey's top players had to take a week-and-a-half off to represent their island in the UK.

Piesing does not expect that to increase in the near future.

'If we fulfil our expectations, we will have a tournament every year for our senior players.

'Typically, the tournaments will last seven or eight days.

'I don't believe it will be excessive.'

The key, he says, is to be competitive and he acknowledges that very soon Guernsey will have to unearth more able to play on the international stage and a squad of 15 needs to be expanded.

'In reality you need to have a squad of 20 to 25 players. We are not going to achieve that overnight.

'We need to produce three or four players every year from the junior sections.'

He refers to the island's successful junior set-up as the 'primary source' of new talent, as not all the current senior island team are eligible for ICC competitions due to a four-year residency qualification.

Of the existing crop, South Africans Andre van Rooyen and GH Smit are unavailable for next year's European Second Division tournament in Scotland and there is doubt as to whether compatriot Divan van der Heever will qualify in time.

The good news is that Jeremy Frith, Ami Banerjee, Lee Savident and Tim Duke are available.