Piesing waits as Jersey lose out

GUERNSEY cricket officials hope that news of Jersey losing the services of their top player for next month's European Championships is not the portent of the GCB losing its appeal on its own two stars. Jersey will definitely have to do without former county star Ryan Driver for the week-long championships in Glasgow and Guernsey are still sweating on the availability of Lee Savident and Jeremy Frith, both of whom were deemed ineligible by the European Cricket Council.

'There's no news yet on our appeals but I understand ours were submitted two or three days after Jersey's and as they are based on different facts, there was no reason why they should be heard at the same time,' said Dave Piesing.

'Last week was a week full of ICC annual meetings and it seems that Jersey's may have been heard by the relevant ICC people before their involvement in those ICC meetings, whereas ours appear to be getting dealt with afterwards.

'It's preventing us from finalising our squad,' Piesing added.

Driver's eligibility has been blocked because he has not been an island resident for the four years required by ICC rules.

Jersey applied for dispensation but were refused. He will now act as coach.