Third or better a must says Guernsey captain

The Sarnians begin their Division Five campaign in Jersey tomorrow, with the confirmation that three of the six teams will be relegated back to regional cricket.

The top two will be promoted, while the third-placed side is the only side that will remain in situ and Guernsey skipper Jamie Nussbaumer is targeting that spot.

'Obviously our ultimate ambition is to reach the final and thus be promoted to Division Four for the first time in our history, but we know how tough that is going to be,' he said.

'So realistically, we want to be finishing in the top-three because we would have to regard relegation as a failure if we are being totally honest about it.

'The first aim now has to be to therefore finish in the top-four in the group table because whether we were third or fourth, it would come down to a one-off shootout match next Saturday.

'Worst-case scenario, we need to make sure we are still in there with a chance ahead of that day.'

Guernsey begin their campaign against Vanuatu at the FB Fields, before facing Tanzania and Nigeria, the three other countries that Nussbaumer believes will be on a par with his side.

He believes that Oman are favourites and hosts Jersey closely behind, with those two nations being Guernsey's final two group games late next week ahead of the concluding play-offs.