GH Smit joins new-look Rovers

GH SMIT has ended weeks of speculation by signing for Rovers. The 2007 Guernsey Cricket Association player of the year confirmed yesterday that he had left St Pierre and Mavericks to join the Port Soif club.

But the 32-year-old South African declined to go into the reasons behind the move.

Word has been going about on the Guernsey rumour mill that the island star had fallen out with Justin Meades, the Australian who captains Maver-icks.

'The captain does not want to play with me any more,' said Smit.

The all-rounder enjoyed an outstanding 2007, which makes it all the more strange that they are seemingly encouraging him to try his luck elsewhere.

With the bat he averaged 69 for the season in club cricket, hitting a total of 966 runs.

He also picked up

the Barclays Evening League Division One best player trophy thanks to his 540 runs at an incredible average of 108.

His strike rate was 141.7 runs per 100 balls.

His off-spin also proved useful as he claimed 30 wickets at 21.3 runs apiece.

Smit said he was very pleased to be joining Rovers.

The club's vice-captain, Aaron Scoones, echoed this sentiment.

'GH is a very serious cricketer and Rovers are naturally delighted to welcome a player of such calibre,' said Scoones.

'He can tear any bowling attack in the Channel Islands apart and he will certainly do a job for us with the ball. He is also decent in the field.

'But just as importantly he is a cracking lad and I'm sure that he will fit in with the boys.'

Scoones certainly knows what it is like to be on receiving end of Smit's destructive batting.

In a weekend league game in May, the off-spinner saw one of his overs go for 28 runs at the hands of the South African.

'I'm certainly not going to miss bowling at him,' said Scoones.

Smit is not the only new signing for the blue-and-whites.

Former Mavericks and Cobo batsman Robbie Moore has put pen to paper and last year's Elizabeth College captain, leg-spinner Luke Nussbaumer, who turned out for Rovers in the latter part of last season's weekend league, has also made a move up the west coast.

There are reportedly some other names in the pipeline as well for Rovers.

'We've picked up some great guys over the winter which will put us right up there,' said Scoones.