Jersey has announced its squad for this weekend’s CBO 50-over inter-insular clash.
The one-day contest is set for a 10:30 start on Saturday at the KGV.
Jersey will travel with a 14-man squad, looking to defend their crown in the longer white-ball format after last year’s convincing display on home soil.
While T20 matches have dominated the calendar in recent seasons, the 50-over inter-insular retains a special place in both islands’ sporting heritage, dating back to the 1950s and often regarded as the “original” format of the rivalry.
Jersey Coach Paul Hutchinson is looking forward to the test: “It’s going to be a decent game, it’ll be decent competition. We played a 50-over game over in Holland the other week which was a good game, so it will be a decent challenge for us.”
With a blend of experience and emerging talent, Jersey’s squad is brimming with top-class cricketers, notably Asa Tribe is back in the squad after missing the last inter-insular and there is a debut for the explosive batsman Ed Giles.
Hutchinson is excited about the introduction of Giles: “Anybody who has watched any domestic cricket in Jersey for the last couple of years will see that he offers a different way of striking the ball. He hits the ball as cleanly as anybody in world cricket.”
All eyes will be on the likes of Nick Greenwood, the Wellington Firebirds professional who continues to be a potent weapon in red, as well as the in-form Charlie Brennan, who recently struck an unbeaten century against the MCC while representing ICC Europe.
Pace-bowling depth has long been a talking point in Jersey cricket, and the inclusion of exciting teenage quicks may again bolster the Island’s attack, alongside more seasoned campaigners.
Jersey captain Chuggy Perchard is pleased with the squad selections: “It’s a really exciting squad we’ve got this time around. Asa Tribe is available which is massive for us.”
“He’s a class act and the experience he will bring into the group, along with Nick Greenwood, who’s a professional cricketer in New Zealand, is invaluable for us.”
Perchard continued to discuss their performance in early June at Grainville: “Honestly, we were a little bit disappointed with how that series went. We do see ourselves as being better than Guernsey, and for us to narrowly get over the line, we were disappointed with the quality of cricket played.”
Nonetheless, Perchard is confident in his side: “Throughout the course of the summer, we have peaked and kept getting better.”
“We had a great time at the T20 World Cup qualifiers in the Netherlands, and played some really good cricket there, and we’re hoping to continue that momentum into this weekend.”
Hutchinson echoed his captain’s confidence: “I always fancy our chances with the squad that we’ve got. We’ve got a pretty competitive squad. It’s a real blessing to have Asa back with us, it’s great that he has the desire to come back, so adding him into what is a pretty decent squad is a real benefit.”
Led by skipper Ollie Nightingale, Guernsey’s side includes power-hitters like Tom Nightingale and Matt Stokes, as well as the dependable hands of Josh Butler and Zac Damarell.
Jersey Squad: Chuggy Perchard (c), Charlie Brennan, Harrison Carlyon, Jake Dunford, Ed Giles, Patrick Gouge, Nick Greenwood, Josh Lawrenson, Will Perchard, Theo Pullman, George Richardson, Julius Sumerauer, Asa Tribe, Zak Tribe
Guernsey Squad: Ollie Nightingale, Lucas Barker, Luke Bichard, Martin-Dale Bradley, Ollie Clapham, Ben Ferbrache, Ben Fitchet, Charlie Forshaw, Harry Johnson, Adam Martel, Tom Nightingale, Ed Robinson, Ant Stokes, Matt Stokes, Head Coach: Jeremy Frith, Assistant Coach: Craig Hogan, Support Coach: Rupert Kitzinger, Physio: Alex Duncan, Manager: Rob Thomson