David Hooper batting during Guernsey’s historic win yesterday. (Picture by ICC/CricketEurope)
GUERNSEY under-17s booked themselves a place in today’s third/fourth play-off with the island’s first victory in a European Division One competition yesterday.
Denmark were beaten by 71 runs at Belmont in Northern Ireland and now the Sarnians will face the Netherlands, who defeated Jersey yesterday. ‘We were hopeful that, having a decent age group, we would win a game or two,’ said Guernsey coach Jeremy Frith.
‘Tomorrow, yes, we want to win, but the important thing is for the players to demonstrate that they have learnt from the two games they have played.’
Although captain Tim Ravenscroft led the way against the Danes, top scoring with 65 and claiming four wickets, Frith was full of praise for all-rounder David Hooper.
Having lost the toss and been inserted on a dry wicket, Guernsey were in a degree of trouble with six wickets down and just 142 on the board before Hooper, who scored 47 from 54 balls, put on 59 with Adam Martel.
Will Peatfield then contributed some lusty blows at the end.
‘For me, ‘Hoops’ was man of the match. If there was a manual on how to play one-day cricket, it was written today by David Hooper,’ Frith said.
‘He played one of the best innings you would see by a number seven in junior cricket batting in that situation and he turned the game from us possibly being all out for 180 to us making a match-winning total.
‘Then when he bowled he showed how to do it in the first 15 overs when the field is up and also at the death, displaying three different slower balls, and he was also involved in a run out in the field.
‘He is a leading performer in this team even if he is not one of the star names.’
Frith also praised Martel for ‘a superb spell of bowling’ as Denmark were skittled out for 164 chasing Guernsey 232 for nine.
The Sarnians assisted their opposition with more than 40 extras, many coming early on before the spinners slowed the rate right down and brought mistakes from the batsmen.
‘To beat Denmark, who pushed Scotland close on Monday, shows that if we can get a dozen of those little 1% things that can turn a game right, we can push any of these teams,’ Frith said.
Article posted on 17th July, 2008 - 2.29pm
Loading ...
Most Commented: