10-day test for top boys

PROVINCIAL standard players await the Guernsey development squad when they embark on their groundbreaking tour of South Africa tomorrow. Team manager Dave Nussbaumer described the 10-day trip as 'a wonderful opportunity' for his young charges, not just to develop their cricket, but also to taste a different way of life.

'It is a whole learning culture for the boys', he said. 'They are going to be playing at a standard they have not experienced before. South Africa has a top pedigree and it can only enhance our boys' cricket to play at this level.

'They will be learning of this good standard, but also learning of South Africa as a country and they will experience proper hospitality.

'Part of the tour is going into the bush on game drives, we will be going to Sun City, visiting pineapple farming country - it is a packed itinerary and it is all about education and learning.'

The party is flying to Johannesburg, from where they will transfer to the Manyane Resort in Pilanesberg National Park - their base for the first three nights - and Sunday they play their opening game against Rustenberg.

From there, they move on to Kleinmond, a two-hour drive from Port Elizabeth, for two nights and taking in the second match against Kingswood College, to be played at the Pineapple Farmers ground in Cuylerville.

The last port of call will be Cape Town, where Guernsey are due to play a couple of games against high school sides.

'We have already heard that Rustenberg have got some provincial players in their side and some of the schools we will be playing have produced cricketers such as Allan Lamb,' said Nussbaumer, who emphasised that this was just the start of what ICC cricket links will bring.

'The world is at the boys' feet. It really is now preparation for another standard and level of cricket. With that in mind, we are going with a strong party of 30, which includes a coach, a physio, an umpire, a scorer as well as myself as manager. We have got everything covered.

'These are exciting times for Guernsey cricket and by making these trips (with the development squad) we are getting the players into the mode of their future cricketing career.'

Squad: Jamie Nussbaumer, Richard Angliss, Matt Copeland, Jonny Warr, Chris Whitworth, James Warr, Peter Le Hegarat, David Banks, Kris Moherndl, Andy Orme, Luke Nussbaumer, Tom Strawbridge, Ben Ferbrache, Rob Byrne, Chris Dravers.