JACK BIRKENSHAW has issued a ‘stand up and be counted’ challenge to the island’s cricketers. The Guernsey Cricket Board’s technical director admitted yesterday that he was ‘a bit disappointed with the two performances’ against Bermuda at the weekend although he expected things to be turned around in time for August when the island compete in the ECC Second Division Championship in Scotland.

‘I am confident that we will get it right, but we are not there yet, do not let anyone kid you otherwise,’ he said.

‘We have a lot to do fitness-wise, technically and being more thoughtful out there on the field. People are not yet up to the mark.

‘It is a fairly tough competition this. Germany, Gibraltar and Greece [Guernsey's group opponents] could have a few ringers who have played a good level of cricket and everyone has got to be ready for it.’

Birkenshaw was particularly frustrated with the indiscipline in Guernsey’s bowling against Bermuda when extras accounted for 26 of 173 runs in the first match and 37 of 225 in the second.

‘When we bowl so many no-balls and wides, we get behind with our over rate and end up bowling 53 or 54 overs to them and face 47 in return. No-balls in one-day cricket are a criminal offence to me,’ he said.

‘The bowling department is a little bit of a grey area. We need more discipline.

‘I would like to see more youngsters come to the party and seize the opportunities that are now available. We do not necessarily want to take elder statesmen to Scotland, but if the youngsters are not ready for it, it is not fair on them or on Guernsey to stick them in.

‘Anyone who shows discipline with the ball has got a good chance of coming into the squad. There are places up for grabs.’

The batting spots are more hotly contested, though.

Birkenshaw pointed to the lessons of Bermuda that a side can ill-afford to get stuck in a rut and allow the opposition to bowl cheap overs in the middle of the innings but he was pleased with the efforts of a couple of ‘fringe’ players against Bermuda.