Rain wrecks Stokes' big day
THE weather prevented Matt Stokes' chance to shine against two Kiwi internationals, but he did impress less than 24 hours later in the Southern Premier League.
Teenage all-rounder Stokes was one of five Guernsey players in UK action on Saturday, but it was a day earlier at the Ageas Bowl where he hoped an even bigger chance would arise.
But as it was, his appearance for a Hampshire XI that took on a New Zealand XI was curtailed after just 10.4 overs by the Southampton rain.
However, he was not downbeat.
'It was a shame because I was due to bowl the next over before the rain came, but it's just one of those things,' said the 18-year-old.
'But the Hampshire Seconds coach has told me that he wants to give me more chances.'
The New Zealand team had Nathan McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan in it, both of who were in the squad that reached the World Cup final and will take on England later this month.
As for Stokes, he had Australian pair Ryan Duffield and Jackson Bird – the latter with Test experience – as Hampshire team-mates.
But any disappointment was soon forgotten as Stokes played his part in a thumping 167-run win for his league side St Cross Symondians.
More in today's Guernsey Press.
