LISTEN: Teenagers set to play leading roles in T20 inter-insular series
Three teenagers could make their senior international debuts for Guernsey in this weekend’s Inter-Insular T20I Series on home soil.
Charlie Forshaw, Ollie Clapham and Charlie Birch have been named in the 14-strong squad who will face Jersey in back-to-back games at the KGV on Saturday before moving to Port Soif for the concluding match of three on Sunday.
Another teenager, Harry Johnson, is also in the group having made his full international debut for the Island earlier this month against Belgium.
The notable absentee for Guernsey is the unavailable Josh Butler, which opens up a place at the top of the batting order to partner Ben Fitchet.
Listen to a full interview with Guernsey men’s captain Ollie Nightingale on this week’s Guernsey Press Sport Podcast
‘It’s pretty exciting that we’ve got a couple of youngsters who have come through really well and then a couple of slightly older lads who are still relatively young that are in and around the squad as well,’ said Guernsey captain Ollie Nightingale.
‘So obviously Harry Johnson and Charlie Forshaw, who you’ve probably heard quite a lot about this summer, are both in the squad and will probably play a full part in the three games at the weekend, which is exciting for them, exciting for us and good for their development as well.
‘Then there’s Charlie Birch and Ollie Clapham – slightly older but still learning the game who are going to be involved around the squad, sort of their first full taste of being around it properly, which again is exciting for them and good to have them around. Both are good fielders as well, as you’d expect with the younger lads.
‘Apart from Josh, who’s unfortunately not around, we’ve got everyone else to pick from, so it’s a good mix of youth and experience, a couple of new faces [and we’re] excited to get going.’
Jersey come into the series on the back of beating Denmark in back-to-back games last weekend.
Having bowled their hosts out for 119 in the first game, the Caesareans chased down their target in less than 14 overs to win by six wickets, with Asa Tribe making 58 and Jonty Jenner 42.
Batting first in game two, Jersey amassed 198 for 7 with Tribe again top-scoring with 51 before they dismissed Denmark for 102 to register a 96-run victory.
‘They’re a good team and they’ll be tough to beat, but hopefully with some extra knowledge and the improvements we’ve made we’ll be in a good place,’ said Nightingale.
Guernsey squad
Ollie Nightingale (captain), Luke Bichard, Charlie Birch, Martin-Dale Bradley, Ollie Clapham, Zak Damarell, Ben Ferbrache, Ben Fitchet, Charlie Forshaw, Harry Johnson, Adam Martel, Dane Mullen, Tom Nightingale, Matt Stokes.
The first two games of the Inter-Insular T20I Series at the KGV on Saturday will start at 11am and 3pm. The third game at Port Soif on Sunday will begin at noon.
