THE island will host Israel’s cricket team as part of ICC European Division Two Championship next year.
Guernsey Cricket Board chief executive Mark Latter confirmed yesterday that the 2010 tournament is to be played in the Bailiwick.
The dates have yet to be finalised, but it most likely to be held in July.
Along with the hosts and the Israelis, France, Germany, Norway and Gibraltar will also take part.
Israel featured in 2006 European Division Two in Glasgow, only weeks after invading Lebanon in retaliation for rocket attacks by Hezbollah paramilitaries on the Jewish state’s northern towns.
There were demonstrations at Israel’s cricket matches by Glasgow’s large Muslim population and anti-war protestors.
Extra security measures were taken at the hotel in the centre of the city where all the teams were staying together.
The situation got so bad that Guernsey’s and Israel’s vital group match, which if the Sarnians had lost could have seen them relegated to Division Three, was played behind closed doors, nearly 200 miles north at RAF Lossiemouth.
But Latter (pictured) does not expect any such problems next year.
‘Obviously from what went before, the world has moved on a lot from there,’ he said.
‘I take guidance from Richard Holdsworth [ICC Europe Regional Development Manager] and the ICC office.’
This will be the third senior ICC tournament that Guernsey has hosted to go with 2008 European Division Two and ICC World Cricket League Division Seven in May this year.
‘It confirms our status as one of their preferred hosts,’ said Latter.
‘We’ve done it a couple of times and the island has always come out smelling of roses.
‘The GCB is looking forward to once again working with St Pierre Park and Wave Telecom to ensure that we are able to offer the best of Guernsey hospitality to the visiting countries and also up-to-the-minute communications.’
Guernsey go into the competition as the highest ranked nation.
After holding their place in ICC World Cricket League Division Six when it was held in Singapore in September, they are ranked 35th in the world and are the seventh best European nation.
They have also beaten all the sides in European Division Two with their most recent victory coming over Norway in Singapore.
Results in the European Championships do not affect a country’s international rankings and hence where they stand in the World Cricket Leagues.
With that in mind, Latter said that they are looking to blood some new talent in preparation for the 2012 WCL Division Six, which looks set to be held in Malaysia.
‘It’s an opportunity for us to look at some of the more promising 18- to 19-year-olds in terms of Malaysia 2012,’ he said.
‘We’ll let some of the senior players take a back seat.’
While Guernsey are in Division Two, due to Jersey’s higher international ranking, they are in Division One.
They will meet Italy and Denmark and the A sides of European big boys Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands, whose main teams will play in their own tournament.
Article posted on 19th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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