Guernsey need to make a compelling application

'We are currently in good shape on those fronts but there is still a lot of ongoing work to do to ensure that we remain on track,' he said.

'The biggest mistake that we can make is to take anything for granted and so our main objective must be to make our application a compelling one on all fronts.'

Piesing has further outlined what now needs to be done for the island to gain associate membership to the ICC.

Guernsey, like Jersey, are currently affiliate members and after the sister island enjoyed two resounding victories over Italy last weekend they now have an inspection from the ICC next month.

If they pass that, then it will help strongly enhance their prospects of obtaining the higher associate membership when the ICC meets for its annual conference in a few months' time.

That in turn would open the door for Guernsey to follow suit in 12 months' time.

'Jersey duly achieved what they needed to do in Italy over the weekend and in some considerable style to satisfy the ICC's new playing standards criteria and they now have to pass the ICC's imminent inspection visit and satisfy the other criteria for achieving associate membership before the ICC's annual conference in the summer,' said Piesing.

'If they are successful with their application this year, then Guernsey will also need to satisfy the ICC's criteria for associate membership status in 2008, although thankfully we will not be required to play a bilateral series against an existing high-ranked associate member due to the fact that we have already beaten three associate member countries in an appropriate competition.

'There is a second leg to the playing standards criteria, which is that any affiliate member country applying for associate membership status must at the time of application be the second-ranked affiliate member in its region.'

Piesing explained that in the Europe region, Norway are the highest ranked affiliate country having won the 2006 Second Division Championship in Glasgow.

Jersey are second but if their associate membership comes through, then Guernsey, who are third, would automatically jump into their space.

He said that the island should fully meet the playing standards criteria but there was no time to rest.

'We then have to ensure that we pull out all the stops in order to continue to meet the other structural and procedural criteria that prospective associate members need to,' he said.

He went on to state that the money due to be received from new global television rights in 2009 is not set in stone and it is not known at the moment by how much this would affect the funding.

'We have to keep chugging along with what we are doing locally and ensure that we keep on track, both on and off the pitch,' he said.

Piesing is also the Guernsey Cricket Association's weekend league officer.

He believes that this season's competition looks set to be most exciting in years as Mavericks and Wanderers have both been strengthened and there is no clear cut favourite to lift the league.

Elizabeth College could also cause some upsets having built on their experience from entering the competition last year.

The new Division Two format sees nine teams playing a full schedule on grass wickets for the first time.

A total of 81 games will be played on grass compared to 45 in 2006.

The competition promises to be stronger, with all six championship clubs entering a side in the second league.

'This structure can only help to improve the integration of the many promising youngsters into weekend club cricket and I am convinced that this season's new structure will be a significant milestone in the development of our domestic cricket,' said Piesing.