Pakistan first up for Guernsey novices

GUERNSEY will compete at a world cup in a sport that has never been played here. In the last week of September, a Sarnian team travels to Bristol to take part in the sixth Indoor Cricket World Cup. A junior side will also compete in the under-19 competition.

Both outfits are managed by Jon Ravenscroft, the man behind the £1m. Guernsey Indoor Cricket Centre that is due to open in March. Ravenscroft's company, stockbrokers Cenkos, will also sponsor the two teams.

'I think it's great and it's another opportunity for Guernsey to play at the highest level,' said Ravenscroft.

'We're fortunate to be in a position to be involved in this opportunity. It's come about firstly because of our involvement with the ICC and secondly with our indoor centre.

'Some people would argue that we're stupid putting a team in, but logistically it's easy. It's just over the water and if it was in Australia, we wouldn't go.

'We're going to get some experience and it's a bit of a showcase for the new centre. It's not a joke.'

Indoor cricket varies greatly from the outside version. There are only eight per side, everybody in the team, including the wicketkeeper, has to bowl and players bat in pairs and lose five runs every time they out.

The Sarnians will certainly have a baptism of fire in the sport when in their first match they face Pakistan.

They then take on other Test nations India, England, South Africa, New Zealand and then Australia who have won the tournament since it was incorporated.

Lastly they play France and the Guernsey coach Jason Shambrook is expecting some positive results.

'We expect to compete with Pakistan and India because they are in a similar position to us,' said the Guernsey Cricket Board development coach.

'We certainly expect to beat France and obviously we realise our limitations as far as South Africa and Australia are concerned. But we're not turning up just to take part.

'We're turning up with a view to win it.'

The under-19s have an even harder introduction as they first take on Australia and South Africa followed by Pakistan, India and England before repeating the schedule. In preparation for the fast and hectic game, both Guernsey sides will undergo a month of training.

It is hoped that England indoor cricket team coach Tim van Noort will come over and lend his expertise in a couple of sessions.

'We're basically looking to work on getting the players used to using the yellow ball and to getting used to the rules,' said Shambrook.

'With batting it is about putting the ball into the gaps and the key area is the fielding. The ball is never dead.

'But we know our limitations without having an actual court.'