Pakistan fall to the Guernsey novices

GUERNSEY cricketers were celebrating a historic victory over Pakistan yesterday in the Indoor World Cup. While the senior Pakistan side were finishing runners-up in the World Twenty20 finals in South Africa, Guernsey gave their indoor side a lesson in a game they themselves first experienced just 48 hours earlier.

Guernsey restricted Pakistan to just 13 runs in their innings and went on to make 165 for a convincing win. The greens took all seven points available in the match - three for the win, and four 'skins' for batting partnerships.

South African wicket-keeper Ryan Bishop was the key man, making 10 stumpings.

'We were given a harsh lesson by South Africa in our first game,' said Guernsey coach Jason Shambrook. 'And that's what we did to Pakistan.

'Today was absolutely fantastic. I was shaking just watching. But the guys have found their confidence and they were over the moon about this.

'When we got back to the hotel they had the Guernsey flag up in the trees.'

The match was the Pakistanis' first in the tournament. They arrived late after problems with visas and flights and Guernsey, led by former pro cricketer Lee Savident, took ruthless advantage.

Shambrook has described the tournament in Bristol as a 'carnival atmosphere'. Four games take place simultaneously in the sports hall hosting the event.

'It is such a great experience,' he said. 'People said you can't go away and compete in a game you've never played, but San Marino don't stop playing football because they were beaten 10-0.

'Development is all about opportunities to get people involved and playing cricket.'

Once out of the competition proper Guernsey's senior and under-19 teams will move into the plate tournament for the rest of the week. Finals day is Saturday.

Having taken severe beatings from South Africa, New Zealand and England, Guernsey are hoping to notch a second win against France.

They were due to play Australia, the home of indoor cricket, last night, but best expectations were to keep the margin of defeat down.

The under-19s have produced improved performances each match, but have lost to England, South Africa and Australia.