Hampshire Academy get their tour off to a winning start
THE new era of Island cricket is officially under way after the Hampshire Academy played the first game of their four-match tour to Guernsey yesterday.
The opening T20 proved a real see-saw encounter with both the talented young visitors and the GCB XI, who also fielded several youngsters, on top at various points in the match.
With new Guernsey director of cricket Jeremy Frith along with a couple of his selectors watching on, the hosts did well to restrict the Hampshire side to 122 all out because when number three Dominic Kelly was at the crease striking the ball purely on his way to 50 from just 24 balls, it looked as if the home side would have a much bigger target to chase.
Both Luke Bichard and Charlie Forshaw took two wickets.
GCB captain Josh Butler then helped his side get off to a brisk start as he hit three fours and a six in his quickfire 24, but the variety of the Hampshire bowling and some excellent fielding saw them stem the flow of runs and eventually win by 11 runs.
The first of two 50-over games takes place at the KGV today, starting at 11am, before another at the same time tomorrow and there will be a second T20 on Sunday beginning at noon.
