Kimber gets chop as Guernsey bid for promotion

But, arguably, the big surprise in the 14-man squad confirmed today, is that there is no place for Tom Kimber, who has been an island regular for several years and scored a century at this summer's ICC Europe T20 qualifier, twice a match-winner with back-to-back fifties on the opening day of the event in Jersey.

Nic Pothas, the island's director of cricket, explained Kimber's omission and the difficulty of the decision given his popularity among the squad and previous commitment to the cause.

'Ultimately we had to go with performance and in World Cricket League he hasn't scored the runs we required.

'It was difficult to pick. The hardest we've had to pick. It's always hard to leave out people who have been there for a while.'

More than half of the squad heading for Essex and the week-long tournament which runs from 7 to 13 September, have played league cricket in the UK this summer, an initiative driven by Pothas who had long been concerned that the domestic leagues were too soft as preparation for international tournaments.

Both 17-year-olds, Tom Nightingale and Will Fazakerly, play for Sussex Premier League side Billingshurst and both attend Lancing College.

Nightingale, in particular, has been a revelation batting in the middle order and scored consistently.

Fazakerly, an emerging fast bowler, has also caught Pothas' eye.

The full squad is:

Jamie Nussbaumer (captain), Dave Hooper, Tim Ravenscroft, Ben Ferbrache, Ollie Newey, Ollie Nightingale, Tom Nightingale, Lucas Barker, James Wilkes-Green, Will Fazakerly, Jason Martin (w/k), Matt Stokes, Max Ellis and Jordon Martel.