Sarnians head to ‘Euros of Cricket’

Following their success in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier on home soil in August, the Island squad switch their attention to the shortest format they play as they head to the European Cricket Championship at the Cartama Oval in Malaga for the T10 tournament known as the ‘Euros of Cricket’ where they will come up against some of the continent’s top talent.

The event has a new format which has seen the nations split into two divisions – Challenger and Premier – with Guernsey in the latter, which comprises 20 teams in four groups of five. The winner of each group will progress to Finals Week later this month.

The Sarnians have been drawn against Ireland, Scotland, France and Portugal in their round-robin, which gets under way tomorrow.

‘It’s another opportunity to test themselves under pressure in game situations and show what they can do,’ said Guernsey director of cricket Jeremy Frith.

‘It’s more games, more cricket, just a different type of cricket.

‘There will be some decent players around, you never quite know who is going to turn up, so you just have to focus on yourselves, do your best and can you do better than your best?’

After a long and demanding season for the Island squad, there are a few fresh faces in the travelling party including teenage batter Will Stewart.

‘He has had a few innings that have caught the eye and it is a good opportunity for Will to spend time with some players who have been away with us before and done well, see how he fits in and hopefully it will be a good experience for him,’ Frith said.

‘It will be good to get a look at a few more people, have them as part of the group and for them to make a case to be involved.’

Frith added that the key to success in T10 is to keep it simple and for the players to ‘be on it from ball one’.

‘It’s just the clarity that sort of cricket brings,’ he said.

‘You do not knock it around for a couple of overs, it is focusing on boundaries and making the most of every ball is quite key.

‘There are just no balls where you get to take a breath and gather your thoughts.’

n The matches are lived streamed via the European Cricket Network.

Guernsey squad

Ollie Nightingale, Luke Bichard, Alex Bushell, Josh Butler, Ollie Clapham, Ben Fitchet, Charlie Forshaw, Dave Hooper, Kieran Le Gallez, Adam Martel, Tom Nightingale, Will Stewart, James Wilson.

Schedule

Tomorrow – Guernsey v Scotland XI, 3.30pm; Ireland XI v Guernsey, 7.30pm.

Friday – Guernsey v France, 10.45am; Portugal v Guernsey, 3.30pm.

Saturday – Play-off matches

Finals week is 15-19 October.