The Sarnians head to Jersey looking to end the home side’s run of seven consecutive victories in the 50-over clash, with the Greens having last lifted the trophy in 2015, and they have two key all-rounders from this summer’s Island U19 squad stepping up to the seniors in Ed Robinson and Freddie Forshaw, who joins his brother Charlie in the group.
Another teenager, Harry Johnson, who has featured against Jersey in T20Is, is also included.
‘Ultimately it’s performances that get you selected and Freddie has been doing well in the last two or three years as he has made his way into adult cricket. With Marty [Martin-Dale Bradley] having stepped back from playing regular cricket this year, it is virtually a like-for-like replacement,’ said Guernsey men’s team head coach Jeremy Frith.
‘Ed did well for us in Cyprus earlier this summer, he has come a long way in the last couple of years, he got runs against the visiting academy sides and he has made it easy for us to pick him.
‘Harry missed out last year through injury, so this is another step for him in his development, another milestone.’
With Tom Nightingale out due to a broken finger, which has required a couple of pins to fix and therefore ended his season, and Zak Damarell also unavailable, Guernsey are happy to welcome back Luke Le Tissier to the fold after his own injury issues.
‘He is a cracking lad, he can bat and bowl, and I’m pleased for him because he has had a difficult couple of years with his knee problems. It has been lovely to have him back around the squad the summer,’ Frith said.
The coach also revealed that last week’s notification of Guernsey’s inclusion in next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 Europe Qualifier has given the team a timely lift ahead of facing the old enemy.
‘Everyone’s in a good spot, the news we had about the tournament has given everybody a massive boost and the players know how far they have come in the last three or four years.
‘Jersey are obviously a good side, but everyone is looking forward to finishing the season on a positive note.
‘It’s a versatile squad with plenty of bowling options and pretty much everyone bats, so we have our bases covered.’
The Inter-Insular will start at 11am on Saturday at Grainville.
GUERNSEY SQUAD
Ollie Nightingale (captain), Lucas Barker, Luke Bichard, Alex Bushell, Josh Butler, Charlie Forshaw, Freddie Forshaw, Harry Johnson, Luke Le Tissier, Adam Martel, Ed Robinson, Matt Stokes, Marcus Thomas.
