First-class cricket nearer at Port Soif

Thursday 6th May 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Matt Machan faces Gary Rich on his way to another century at Port Soif yesterday. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0963304)

PORT SOIF could be ready to host a first-class limited overs match next season.

Sussex performance manager Keith Greenfield, who was in the island with the county’s second team this week, is impressed by the progress made on the square after advice from Sussex’s head groundsman Andy Mackay to the Guernsey Cricket Board ground staff.

‘The most important aspect of the visit was us coming over here to assess the pitch,’ Greenfield said.

‘I think it has improved a helluva lot since when we were last here [in April 2009].

‘They are getting somewhere near where you need to be so you can play a Clydesdale Bank 40 game on it. Perhaps a month later in the season [June] next year could be a possibility.’