Nightingale eager to 'build on progress' after being named island captain
Ollie Nightingale says he wants to help ‘create an environment for success’ after being named as Guernsey Cricket’s new senior men’s captain.
The 28-year-old batter has been living and working in Jersey in recent times, where he has skippered St Ouen in domestic competition, but is set to return to Guernsey next year ahead of a big summer for island cricket.
‘I can’t wait to move back to the island full-time and throw myself into the captaincy,’ he said.
‘Hopefully we can build on the progress we made last year. We had a really good trip to the Netherlands beating Germany and also played good cricket beating some strong teams throughout the summer.’
Leading all-rounder Matt Stokes had taken temporary charge after Josh Butler stepped down mid-season, with several players putting themselves forward to replace him on a permanent basis.
‘Appointing a new captain was always going to be an interesting and revealing process,’ said former island skipper Stuart Le Prevost, now head of selectors.
‘After a number of good candidates threw their hats in the ring and after lengthy discussions with all of them, we decided that Ollie was the person we unanimously felt right to take the position.
‘Ollie showed an excellent understanding of how we see the national team going forwards.’
Nightingale, who has cameoed for Evening League champions Indies since his move to Jersey, is in line to return to Cobo domestically, around a busy season in island colours.
‘Ollie was an ever-present in the Guernsey side last year and has been an important member of the team on and off the field,’ said director of cricket Jeremy Frith.
‘New island manager Rob Thomson and I are very much looking forward to working with him through 2024 and beyond as we look to build on the progress of 2023.’
Guernsey’s schedule for next season is still to be confirmed but is expected to feature a T20 World Cup qualifying tournament alongside representative games against European and county academy opposition.
The island’s men will also hope to end their long wait for an inter-insular win as their new captain brings his inside knowledge of Jersey cricket back home.
