ECB to the rescue after ICC delay

GUERNSEY may have won the cricket inter-insular for a fifth straight year, but Jersey have stolen a march on them in two vital areas. The Caesareans' superior performance at this year's European Division Two championships has not only won them a place in the World League from 2008, but their top-two finish in Scotland and elevation to 'world' status sees them possibly gain associate membership status a year ahead of Guernsey.

With it will come the greater financial fruits of being an ICC associate member, something Guernsey had been pinning their hopes on for 2007.

GCB chairman Dave Piesing is relieved to report, however, that Sarnian cricket has secured a further and vital one-year parachute payment from the England Cricket Board after hearing their elevation to ICC associate status would be delayed 12 months.

The GCB were stunned last month when it became apparent that extra 'playing standards criteria' had been introduced for associate applicants.

New countries had to be ranked in the top two in their region and, following their below par showing at the European Champion-ships in Glasgow, Guernsey lay third behind winners Norway and runners-up Jersey.

Not only that, budding associates had to have beaten two associate member countries within the past two years and Jersey had failed on that score.

The unexpected move threatened to derail both islands' applications, but after a lot of lobbying from Guernsey and Jersey, a solution was agreed.

Jersey have been afforded an extension until 30 April 2007 to collect their second scalp and will be playing Italy in a bilateral tournament in Italy in April.

A Jersey win will enable their application to be considered at the June ICC annual conference and if successful Guernsey would then be automatically in line to follow them into the ICC in the summer of 2008. Norway have not yet applied.

Piesing says the ECB's financial support will keep the wolves from the door until the much greater financial benefits of ICC associate membership become available.

And although the ICC associate member funding is due for a major increase after the recent ICC global media rights deal of US$1.1bn it does not kick in until 2008.

'So financially we are not missing out on much in 2007, at least on current exchange rates,' said Piesing.

'It's fair to say that we have to keep progressing in 2007 with a view to improving our position in the 2008 European tournament which is likely to be a six team round robin, which must be a better format for all concerned.'