Island stars turn to their bat-maker on the doorstep

HE PLAYED a straight and regularly effective bat for club and country for decades.

Now Gary Rich has a new role in cricket and the hopes of the national team, making high-quality bats.

Almost half of the current island team are using or plan to use the GR7, hand-crafted by the former Cobo all-rounder and carpenter by trade.

'The one I've got is superb,' said recently retired island captain, Stuart Le Prevost.

'Sometimes it's a bit of the luck of the draw with bats and you can get a £250 bat that is as flat as a pancake,' he added.