Birkenshaw dropped after board re-think

GUERNSEY cricket has dropped former Test spinner Jack Birkenshaw from its team. Birkenshaw claims it was down to money, but Guernsey Cricket Board chairman Dave Piesing said that following the island's exciting new link with county champions Sussex, his position as part-time technical director, with roles in youth development and as coach of the island side, were no longer felt appropriate.

His part-time contract is not being renewed.

But he paid tribute to the highly-respected player, umpire and coach for his time with the GCB.

'I think he has earned a huge amount of respect from the senior players. Our players have reacted to him very well and he has undoubtedly been able to improve individual techniques.

'He has also invested a lot of time in our younger players as well, but that has mainly been in the season, or late in the season, and that is part of the issue.'

He said that Birkenshaw could have been more effective if available on a full-time contract, but finance had made that impossible. The well-respected coach, once in the offing for the England job, is still much in demand all over the world.

But Guernsey cricket had also evolved, said Piesing, and its coaching requirements had changed too.

He said that Guernsey cricket needed to work to a five-year development plan and could not run without a succession plan for Birkenshaw.

'We have to put something in place which is sustainable and which we can follow through in the years to come.'

There is no obvious replacement lined up for Birkenshaw as Guernsey 'first-team coach'. Piesing said that options were being considered with the Sussex set up, but there was no urgency as the island side were not involved in a tournament competition next season.

Birkenshaw's role within Guernsey cricket was criticised last summer, but defended by Piesing, who said his acquisition had been a great coup for the local game.

'He has brought a level of professionalism to what we have been doing. In his second year we have really started to see the benefit of what he has been doing with the team,' he said yesterday.

Guernsey's captain for the past five years, Andy Biggins, believed that Birkenshaw's involvement with the island first team had brought credibility to the set-up.

'It was important that we were taken seriously as a side and having Jack involved ensured that that was the case,' he said.

'The players thoroughly enjoyed his company and benefitted from his advice.

'Far from dictating terms to us, instead he tended to offer reassurance, he always took the time to work with us and was relentless with his enthusiasm.

'It was a privilege to have him involved with the Guernsey side.'