Guernsey 'want to show what we can do' on European stage
THE countdown to the biggest week of the season is nearly over and Guernsey are aiming to make home advantage count.
Nine national sides are descending on the island and from tomorrow they will battle it out with the hosts in the third and final ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Sub Regional Europe Qualifier.
The 10 teams are split into two groups of five who will play in a round-robin, with the group winners meeting in next Wednesday’s final. A place in next year’s Europe Final alongside powerhouses the Netherlands and Scotland, as well as other qualifiers Italy and Jersey, is at stake.
Guernsey start their campaign against Bulgaria at Port Soif tomorrow morning before also facing Malta, Finland and Estonia in their group.
Confidence in the camp is high after a progressive summer when they have impressed against academy opposition from Hampshire, Somerset and Ireland as well as in games against the MCC, RAF and Belgium. They also registered a first ever T20I victory over Jersey.
‘It’s certainly been a long year building up to it and the boys are all really excited and ready to go,’ said Island all-rounder Adam Martel.
‘Hopefully there’ll be lots of good cricket, some good teams, some we played against before so we know a few of the guys coming over, and hopefully everyone at Port Soif and the KGV, really embraces it.’
Martel emphasised that the local support could play a key role for the home side.
‘I think the last time Guernsey hosted a men’s senior tournament was 2019,’ he said.
‘This is going to be the first one I’ve played in and I’ve been around the island squad since I was 18, so I think the boys are just really excited and can’t wait to get going and show people what we can do.’
With it being over a month since the Island squad played together, Martel added that the GCA Cup T20 tournament held over the last two weekends has been important in giving squad members good quality competitive cricket.
‘You play Evening League and you come up against the odd team who’s got an Island player in it, but some of the teams aren’t as strong, so to play a format like we have done in the last few weeks when you’ve got all the island boys playing has been good.
‘It’s competitive cricket and I think that’s really what we want – it’s going to get the best out of you and it’s the best preparation for the tournament.’
