Opportunity knocks

ROLAND LEFEBVRE has called on his Dutch Flamingo A players to prove themselves against the island side this week. The 44-year-old former Glamorgan and Somerset seam bowler is Holland's national development coach these days. He is in charge of the team who are taking on the Guernsey Cricket Board in a three-match series starting today at the KGV.

There have been wholesale changes in the Dutch national team following their disappointing World Cup in the West Indies.

And Lefebvre, who is joined by new national coach Paul-Jan Bakker, will be using the tour to look at their young stars to fill the gaps in their first team.

'We're all looking forward to it,' said Lefebvre.

'We have a bunch of up-and-coming guys and hopefully some of them should make the grade this year. This is an opportunity for them to make their mark and see how it goes.

'After the World Cup a few guys have retired and one or two others are injured, so there are opportunities.'

Even though they were one of the 'minnows' at the World Cup and were in arguably the hardest group with South Africa and Australia, the Netherlands did have a below par tournament.

After losing their two warm-up games against India and Kenya, they went on to lose their opening match with South Africa by 221 runs.

That was followed by an equally crushing defeat by Australia. Chasing 358, the Dutch were bowled out for just 129.

But they bounced back in the their final game against fellow associate members Scotland to win by eight wickets.

'It was a little bit disappointing but the game against Scotland was the main one for us,' said Lefebvre.

'Against Australia and South Africa, though, we weren't competitive enough. It's tough for the associates to compete at the top stage.'

One player who will be looking to establish himself back in the Dutch national team is the visitors' captain, Tom de Grooth, who celebrated his 28th birthday last week.

The compact right-hand batsman also bowls off spin and he has three one-day international caps to his name.

De Grooth's critics have said that The Hague native has not made the most of his ability.

'For Tom the next year is going to be important,' said Lefebvre.

'He needs to convert his 20s and 30s into 60s and 80s. He needs to start producing those knocks.

'Unfortunately at international level you need better and you need to come up with the big scores.'

Lefebvre said he had been to the island before for a benefit match during the 1990s.

He went on to say that he does not know too much about Guernsey's cricketers apart from one player, Kris Moherndl.

The Dutchman worked with the young Cobo bowler at the European Cricket Council's academy in La Manga last month.

'It will be good to see how he's shaping up, but I hope he's not improved too much so that he doesn't skittle our guys,' joked Lefebvre.

'I'm looking forward to seeing him perform again. But I don't know anything else about the Guernsey cricket side.

n YOUNG star Tim Ravenscroft will make his senior island debut tomorrow against the Dutch Flamingo A team.

The 15-year-old Elizabeth College all-rounder has come into the Guernsey Cricket Board side for Justin Meades. The Australian has had to pull out due to other commitments.

'He's there on merit and thanks to his school for allowing him to be available,' said island manager Dave Hearse.

'It's a good time for him to make a start in the senior team.'

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