Hearse takes ICC route for Jersey

GUERNSEY have picked an 'ICC' squad for Saturday's inter-insular at the KGV - while Jersey have gone with their strongest outfit possible.

The rules for the annual clash do not stipulate that only cricketers who qualify to represent their island in ICC matches are allowed to play.

Jersey have named a 12-man squad that contains non-ICC qualified players such as Dean Morrison and Hannes Botha as well as former captain Matt Hague, who had stepped away from playing international matches.

However, Guernsey have gone for a 13-strong squad in which every player is ICC qualified.

The Sarnians are off to Singapore at the end of the month for ICC World Cricket League Division Six.

'The inter-insular is a very important game and it's close to our hearts, but we've got a very important tournament coming up in Singapore and I want to give the guys going another test,' said island manager Dave Hearse.

Guernsey's middle order, which infamously capitulated in the defeat to Jersey in the final match of last year's ICC European Division Two, could have been bolstered by Ian Atchison.

The New Zealander has impressed in his debut season in the island. A compact left-handed batsman, he also bowls some tidy off-spin and many people had tipped him to be included.

'Ian could have batted in the middle order, but it's gone to someone who is going to Singapore,' said Hearse.

'I'm sure Ian will play in Guernsey colours in the future if he decides to stay on the island.'

Another player to miss out is Tim Duke.