DAVE HEARSE has plumped for youth for Saturday’s inter-insular at the KGV. In what is the biggest game of the year, the island manager has named four new caps in his XI - Ryan Bishop, Kris Moherndl, Pete Le Hegarat and Blane Queripel. All of them are aged under 21.
South African newcomer Bishop will take the wicketkeeping gloves while the other three from Cobo will form Guernsey’s seam bowling attack.
‘They’ve shown a high level of commitment this year both in terms of playing and training and they’ve produced good results this season,’ said Hearse.
‘I’ve put down markers and they’ve reached them and they deserve to be involved. Pete bowled especially well on Sunday [against Jersey B] and he’s bowled well the last few months.
‘Blane has bowled consistently well all season.’
Eighteen-year-old Le Hegarat and Queripel, 21, look set to take the new ball, while Moherndl, 19, will play more of an all-rounder’s role chipping in with the bat and the ball and, as the team’s best fielder, taking up the vital position of cover point.
And Hearse made it very clear that the lack of experience in the bowling department is not a worry for him as Guernsey look to retain the trophy for the sixth year running.
‘I’ve got no concerns: if they are good enough it doesn’t matter what age they are,’ he said.
‘Although it might not be ideal to pick them all at the same time - let’s see how it goes. It’s up to the seasoned pros to help them get through any nerves and edginess. If they do what they’ve been doing all season, they’ll get through it.
‘I’m also looking towards the future and next year’s ICC tournament. There’s not a lot of locally born or ICC eligible bowlers around. It’s another experience test for them.
‘Let’s see how they come off with next year’s championships in mind.’
Le Hegarat enjoyed a fine performance in Sunday’s win for Guernsey B over their Jersey counterparts at Grainville. He returned figures of 9-2-17-2 that helped set up his team’s victory.
The fast bowler is off to Cardiff University in September and believes his performance with the ball in Jersey had helped cement his place in the full senior team.
‘I’d like to think so because that shows that the system works,’ he said.
‘If you do well for the Bs, you have a good chance of playing for the As. Obviously I’m very pleased and I didn’t expect to get in this year.
‘It’s a good honour to be picked. I’m not really nervous, I’m excited and I can’t wait to get out there.’
Queripel said he had knuckled down this season after having been omitted from the Guernsey squad that played in the ICC European Division Two Championships last year in Glasgow.
‘I’m obviously ecstatic and delighted to be picked after last year not going to Scotland,’ he said.
‘I’ve come back and tried my hardest to prove myself and obviously it’s helped. Hopefully, I can help make it six in a row.’
His good mate, Moherndl, was also delighted to get the nod.
‘I’m very happy. It was a bit of a surprise - I thought I could be in but I was not 100 per cent sure,’ he said.
Bishop has been something of a revelation since he arrived in the island at the start of the summer. Turning out for Rovers, the 20-year-old has impressed with the bat and behind the stumps.
A player of good pedigree, the Johannesburg native played for Gauteng Province from U13s to U19s and last year professionally for Hampshire outfit New Milton.
He will open the batting with Matt Oliver and will replace the Cobo man behind the stumps as well.
Bishop also turned out for the Guernsey B side.
‘I’m very happy, I’m very excited and I’m very keen,’ he said.
‘I can’t wait and I think it’s going to be an awesome day. It was awesome to beat them on Sunday and hopefully we can beat them again this weekend.’
The rest of the top six picks itself as Bishop and Oliver are joined by Ami Banerjee, Jeremy Frith, captain Stuart Le Prevost and GH Smit.
Veteran off spinner Gary Rich will make his 16th inter-insular appearance and former skipper Andy Biggins also makes the grade.
Jamie Nussbaumer has been named as 12th man for the day. If there are any surprises, they are that Hearse has left out both hard-hitting Aussie Justin Meades and Rovers all-rounder Tim Duke.
‘Both have missed lots of cricket this season for personal reasons,’ said Hearse.
‘It’s very difficult to tell what their form is like. It’s also very unfortunate that these two have had difficulties but they’ve not been discarded from Guernsey cricket.
‘I hope they’ll play a prominent part in the future.’
Meanwhile Jersey have named two new caps in their team. Aggressive batsman Jamie Brewster is in along with his Romerils teammate and keeper, James Caunt.
Article posted on 8th August, 2007 - 12.00am
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