Two successful revenge missions for Guernsey at Desert Springs

GUERNSEY gained revenge not once but twice as they made their return to international cricket in Spain over the weekend.

The Guernsey men's cricket squad at the ECI Spain T20I Tri Series at Desert Springs. Back row, left to right: Nic Pothas (head coach), Mandy Le Messurier (physio), Ben Wentzel, Nathan Le Tissier, Ollie Newey, Luke Bichard, Tom Nightingale, Ollie Nightingale, Ben Ferbrache, Lee Forshaw (manager). Front: Dec Martel, Zak Damarell, Josh Butler (captain), Matt Stokes, Will Peatfield, David Hooper. (30776038)

The Sarnians suffered defeats to both Norway and Spain in the ECI T20I Tri-Series at Desert Springs, but crucially they learnt their lessons against both sides to beat them second time around and finish their four-match campaign with two victories to their name.

Their win over the host nation yesterday morning, which concluded Guernsey’s involvement in the competition, was particularly impressive considering the thumping the Spaniards had given them on Saturday evening.

Leg-spinner Lorne Burns was the star of the show on that occasion as he ripped through the Guernsey middle order in taking 5 for 11 as the Greens were bowled out for just 78, a total the hosts chased down for the loss of just two wickets with 7.4 overs to spare.

After a night’s sleep, though, Guernsey looked a different side yesterday as they executed their game plan to near-perfection in an eight-wicket win of their own.

The bowlers all did a fine job as they restricted their hosts to 107 from their 20 overs as both Matt Stokes and Luke Bichard picked up a couple of wickets apiece while Will Peatfield was very miserly in conceding just eight runs from his four overs.

Captain Josh Butler then got the run chase off to an ideal start as he dealt exclusively in boundaries in making 28 from just 19 balls at the top of the order with some sweet timing.

His opening partner Zak Damarell played the anchor role to good effect and finished as top scorer with 38 not out, receiving fine support from Stokes (28 not out) to see their side home.

In Friday night’s opener against Norway, Muhammad Sher Sahak showed how one innings can swing the whole momentum of a T20 match as his 70 from just 29 balls set his side up for a 37-run victory.

Guernsey turned the tables against the Norwegians the following morning, though, when Bichard took three wickets in helping to restrict the opposition to 120 before Tom Nightingale hit an unbeaten 46 at virtually a run-a-ball to see his side home with two overs to spare.