Tom Kirk scored a rapid 50 yesterday. (Picture by ICC/CricketEurope)
SEVERAL of Guernsey’s under-17 squad are contending for a senior call-up already according to Jeremy Frith. The island all-rounder was coach to the side who yesterday finished joint third in the European Division One Championship.
Rain in Bangor put paid to the Sarnians attempts win the place outright as their play-off with the Netherlands was abandoned after 29 overs, with the match having earlier been reduced to 34 overs per side following a delayed start.
‘The Scottish and Irish teams here that we saw would give our seniors a good game and Ireland [the overall winners of the tournament] would run them close,’ Frith said. ‘But I look at this [Guernsey] age group and the amount they have learnt in the last six years and at this competition and I do not know that we have had a more skilled group.
‘Four or five of this squad are genuinely contending for a senior spot.’
Yesterday, despite the abandonment, Tom Kirk took the chance to shine with 50 made at quicker than a run-a-ball.
‘He showed glimpses of why people rate him highly and he hit one six that must have gone 100 metres – it was a monster.
‘Robbie Le Corre also started well again and played four or five great shots before he got one that stuck in the wicket a bit,’ Frith said.
Guernsey were flying at 90 for one at one stage, but the rain returned and although they played through it for an hour or so, no result was possible.
The Sarnians were 149 for six when play was halted.
‘What we do take from today is that we finished joint third and we know that’s probably an accurate reflection of where we stand against the other sides here,’ said Frith.
‘The difference between us and the top sides is not ability-based, but what you could call the culture of our cricket.
‘We know now that if we keep working at it, show more attention to detail and take on responsibility, we can start not only pushing but beating sides like Scotland.’
In Belfast, the other two play-off games were completed.
Ireland pulled off a resounding victory in the final as they lost only one wicket in successfully chasing Scotland’s 195 with almost 10 overs to spare.
Meanwhile, Jersey could not avoid the wooden spoon as Denmark beat them by two wickets in a close match.
Article posted on 18th July, 2008 - 2.29pm
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