The Guernsey cricket stalwart became the first player to reach 100 caps for the Island side this season and he is in line to add to his tally against his ‘second’ nation over the next three days as Switzerland visit for a series of T20 internationals at the KGV.
‘Switzerland is my second passport on my Mum’s side, so personally it is quite a special series to finish the year,’ said the 37-year-old.
‘It is tough to know what they are going to be like, we haven’t seen much of them before, but it is quite a cool one to end a busy summer for me.’
Ferbrache believed he brought up his 100th cap for Guernsey in the recent T20I against Papua New Guinea, although research conducted by Guernsey Cricket since then suggests that he had achieved reached three figure two games earlier, against hosts the Netherlands at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Final in July.
What is for certain is his commitment since joining the Island squad during his last year at Elizabeth College in 2008. His debut came in that year’s inter-insular.
‘Ferbs has been a great team man over the years, a good friend and an even better room mate,’ said former Guernsey captain Jamie Nussbaumer.
‘It’s been a privilege to tour some incredible destinations together and have many laughs along the way.
‘He’s put a lot of hard work and dedication into representing his Island and it’s clear how much it means to him to do so.
‘Now reaching the autumn of his Guernsey career, he’s probably playing as well as he ever has, which is credit to him.’
Andy Cornford, whose achievements as Guernsey coach include winning ICC World Cricket League Six in Malaysia in 2011, paid tribute to Ferbrache’s resolve.
‘Ben came into the senior Guernsey set up at a young age and at a time where there were some well-established players ahead of him. He was desperate to get into the final team and worked so hard on every aspect of his game to make him harder to leave out.
‘His commitment to his physical training and fielding in his early years gave him an edge over others as he pushed the levels of our fielding to another level.
‘I’m so pleased for Ben to reach this milestone. He is so proud to represent Guernsey and his work ethic has allowed him to develop his game and stay the course of time.
‘He’s an example to others, especially when handling disappointment of not being selected. He didn’t give up, he worked harder and kept banging on my door.’
Now in his 20th season in the Island squad, Ferbrache has no intention of retiring just yet.
‘I have always been proud to play for Guernsey,’ he said.
‘I have been there since the start of the ICC stuff – when I started it was red balls and playing in whites, a completely different game to the coloured clothing and white balls of nowadays – so my longevity is something I am particularly proud of, although I’m not sure my body is telling me the same thing. Every game hurts a bit more these days.
‘To have made it to 100 caps is a real honour and my aspirations are to keep going because it is an exciting time for Guernsey cricket, so long may it continue.
‘I would like to play as much as I can, but I also want to be contributing and, as Jamie said recently, I have always been happy to evolve my game.’
Ferbrache is also happy to look back at highlights of his Guernsey career to date, recalling the successful World Cricket League trips to Malaysia and Singapore in particular.
‘Being in the middle with Ross Kneller for the winning runs against Malaysia in the group stage game that earned promotion from Division Six was great,’ he said of the trip to Kuala Lumpur in 2011.
‘There are plenty of great memories. Some of the best memories are from trips away and tours.
‘There is something special about playing in a team as well.’
Guernsey's director of cricket Jeremy Frith added: 'On behalf of the playing and management group we are delighted for Ben that he has achieved this milestone and would thank him for the commitment he's shown to Guernsey Cricket over many years not just the current team but previous ones as well.'
Guernsey will play a series of T20 matches with Switzerland this weekend at the KGV, the first being a friendly at 4.30pm today.
They will then play three full internationals over the weekend – a double-header tomorrow from 11am, weather permitting, and a game Sunday morning with Sunday afternoon in reserve.
Finland had been due to play in a Tri Series but have encountered UK Visa processing delays.
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