Island makes pitch for Euro Twenty20

GUERNSEY could be the first hosts of a new European Twenty20 competition. The Guernsey Cricket Board has pitched to the European Cricket Council the possibility of holding the proposed tournament which would include all the top countries in Europe such as Scotland, Ireland, Holland and Denmark.

According to Guernsey Cricket Board president Dave Piesing, the tournament could also act as a qualifier to a Twenty20 World Cup which is in the pipeline to replace the ICC Champions Trophy, an event which is waning in popularity.

'It it public knowledge that the ICC is currently reviewing the future of the ICC Champions Trophy and one strong probability is that it will be replaced by a Twenty20 World Cup,' said Piesing.

'It's still very early days indeed as sponsors would need to be found, but the seed has been sown and something could develop, whether it's in 2007, 2008 or even further beyond that, bearing in mind that global events take many years of planning.

'With Guernsey's ''specialisation'' in Evening League cricket it's an obvious tournament for us to try to target from a hosting perspective.'

The Twenty20 format has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2003 when it replaced the Benson & Hedges Cup in the UK, and internationals are now part of the global cricket calendar.

Guernsey is well versed in this type of short game, with the Evening League having been established way back in 1927.

The island team is due to take part in its first-ever Twenty20 match this summer when the French national team visits in July. Guernsey could even compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in this new version of the sport.

'It is understood that the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games is likely to include a Twenty20 cricket tournament, while Glasgow is pitching for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and suggestions have already been made that Twenty20 cricket could be one of their ?extra? sports if their bid is successful.

'It is clear that Twenty20 international cricket has a massive global future from a television rights perspective and the European region will be heavily involved.

'Any role that Guernsey can play to capitalise on that can only be to our advantage.'

Meanwhile, Andrew Chambers, chairman of SportGuernsey, has lent his support to the proposed competition which would see hundreds of visitors to the island and generate much European media interest.

'It sounds very interesting and if it helps with the advancement of sport and in particular cricket on the island, then it would be marvellous,' said Chambers.

'We're certainly in the market to support these types of venture. It has been my belief for a long time that when Guernsey sportsmen get involved in the international arena, they step up to the plate. It would be lovely if Guernsey cricket should do the same.'