Guernsey to miss out on World Lge

JERSEY have stolen a march on Guernsey with news that the Caesareans are in line for a place in Division Five of the soon to be expanded World Cricket League. 'It's galling for us,' admitted Guernsey Cricket Board chairman Dave Piesing, having seen the island side blow their chances with a poor showing at the European Championships in Scotland last month, but bounce back to win a fifth straight inter-insular.

Jersey finished runners-up to Norway at the Europeans, while Guernsey flunked their way to fifth despite starting out as pre-tournament favourites.

'We had the same chance as they did and we didn't grab it,' Piesing added.

Should the World League expand to a fifth division - 'I don't think they've made a final decision yet,' said Piesing - Jersey will join Norway and perhaps even Germany, third in Scotland, playing against the likes of Afghanistan, Argentina, Botswana and the Cook Islands early in 2008.

'This is just the latest example of the wonderful opportunities being members of the ICC can bring,' said Chris Minty, director of cricket in the sister isle.

While an eight-team Division Five tournament is being planned for the early part of 2008 without Guernsey, Piesing says it is important for the island side to find the right fixtures to prepare for the next European Championships later that year.

'Now we've got to make sure we arrange the right type of fixtures to keep developing.

'Ultimately, we've got to get exposure to some tournament cricket.'