Former head of Jersey Cricket dies day after promotion

Tuesday 11 March 2014

The first Chairman of Jersey's Cricket Board died this morning in his hotel room in Malaysia, after complaining of breathing difficulties.

Keith Dennis had travelled as a supporter with the team, who had just gained promotion to the next level of international cricket, with two games to spare, after beating Nigeria, Tanzania, Malaysia and Cayman Islands in the ICC World Cricket League Division Five tournament.

The Jersey Cricket Board's Chief Executive, Chris Minty, said that Mr Dennis had complained of feeling unwell yesterday evening, and so had gone back to his hotel room early, with his wife, to rest. 

"It's come as a shock to all of us here. Keith helped Jersey progress into a fully-fledged cricket nation. He was a real cricket enthusiast, a proper cricket man, who wanted to do the best he could for the game in Jersey, and for cricketers generally. He will be missed, and our thoughts and sincere condolences are now with his family".

Mr Dennis became the first Chairman of the new Jersey Cricket Board, when it was formed in 2005. The last game he watched saw Jersey gain promotion to Division Four, where they will play teams such as the USA, Denmark and Nepal.

Mr Minty added: "Keith would have really enjoyed that game, promotion is what he wanted to see. We have achieved something very significant, particularly in the way we did it. We have all worked very hard to ensure that we have the skills we need to win this tournament in such a dominant fashion". 

Speaking before the news about Mr Dennis emerged, Chief Minister Ian Gorst said: “I would like to congratulate the team and everyone involved in this tremendous success for Jersey. High temperatures and humidity will have made it particularly challenging for the players. 

“I know the Jersey Cricket Board has worked hard to support the team in securing this second promotion in as many years, and I look forward to seeing this impressive form carry them through to future victories.”

Jersey moved up from ICC World Cricket League Division Six as champions last year.

Part of the story behind the team’s success has been put down to the new coach, Neil MacRae, who has been in the job since the beginning of the year. The Liverpudlian played two One Day International games for Scotland, and as a coach had helped Austria rise from a ranking of 23^rd to 9^th in ICC European cricket.

The squad currently out in Malaysia is: Peter Gough (Captain), Edward Farley, Ben Stevens, Anthony Hawkins-Kay, Andrew Dewhurst, Tom Minty, Charles Perchard, Corey Bisson, Paul Connolly,
Luke Gallichan, Corne Bodenstein, Dean Morrison, Nat Watkins, and Jonty Jenner.

Picture Caption: Jersey Cricket Board & Cricket Europe 2014. The players are respecting a minute's silence for the missing Malaysian airliner.