David Hearse (right)

WE MUST stay up.

That was the message from island cricket boss Dave Hearse who yesterday named the 14 players who will travel to Singapore next month for the Pepsi World Cricket League Division Six tournament.

‘My target will be at the very least to stay in Division Six and we will take it from there,’ said Hearse.

‘That will mean winning a couple of games. But the aim, of course, is to win all five.’

Hearse has been able to name a powerful squad which faces not only a tough test from the likes of Bahrain, Norway, Botswana, Malaysia and the host nation, but also the expected stifling heat and humidity.

From the provisional squad of 18 named nearly a month ago TJ Ozanne, Peter Le Hegarat, Dave Hooper and Tom Kirk have been left out.

Back after missing the Division Seven tournament to bolster the batting is South African GH Smit and there is also a place for the talented all-rounder James Warr.

‘I think it’s stronger than World Six – probably stronger in the batting line-up,’ said Hearse, who may have also plumped for Australian Justin Meades had he not recently got married and will miss much of the important lead-up period due to his honeymoon.

Maximising their fitness is vitally important, said the manager.