Guernsey could receive a WCL5 reprieve
GUERNSEY could yet earn a World Cricket League reprieve – because the ICC have yet to decide whether or not to reintroduce Division Six at the bottom step of the pyramid.
If they decide to do so at next month’s general meeting, then it would mean the Sarnians would remain in Division Five despite thinking they were relegated last week.
But if the status quo is maintained then it will mean back to regional European qualification for Ash Wright’s men, with that tournament likely to be late next year.
It all makes for an uncertain next few months for Wright and his players, but the local head of cricket admits that it was a lack of bowling options that cost his side dear in South Africa.
Two wins from their five matches across the Division Five tournament saw them finish sixth of the eight teams – a position which could still save them.
‘The rumour going around is that the ICC are thinking about bringing back Division Six, which would mean us remaining in Division Five, which would then be a six-team tournament again,’ said Wright.
‘But you never know with the ICC and there is still the chance they may keep it as it is and that would mean us going down to the European qualifiers ahead of trying to get back into Division Five for the next edition in 2019.
‘There will definitely be a Twenty20 qualifier of some sort next year, but at the moment it is a bit up in the air and wait and see about the 50-overs stuff.
‘If we do have to go back into the regionals, though, then it will mean more cricket for us, which would be the silver lining of it all.’
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
