Jersey host the World Cricket League next May and if they can gain promotion there and in the following two tournaments, which take place in Tanzania in October 2008 (Division IV) and in Argentina in January 2009 (Division III), the would be in the 2011 World Cup qualifying draw.
It is a distant dream, a lot of cricket has to be played before then …
but you never know.
Jersey Cricket Board director Chris Minty said: ‘That’s the route to the World Cup, yes it’s a long way off and at the moment all I’m looking at is next year because we have a busy programme including hosting the World Cricket League Division V tournament.
‘We know the groups now, Jersey have been drawn in Group B against Afghanistan, Botswana, Bahamas, Singapore and recent qualifiers Japan.
‘It’s very difficult to assess the strength of the teams but I believe Afghanistan and Nepal may be the strongest.
Nepal are in Group A; their under-19s have just qualified for the under-19 World Cup so I’m expecting them to be a good side.
‘Japan appears to be quite an active cricket nation but apart from that I know very little about them.’
Nepal are grouped with Germany, Mozambique, Norway, Vanuatu and the United States.
The playing programme for Jersey has yet to be drawn up but it will be round-robin groups first followed by semi-finals between the winners of one group and the runners-up of the other and vice-versa.
Should a nation reach the final they will play seven games in nine days.
Former South Africa captain Peter Kirsten has been appointed to coach Jersey’s squad for two months before the tournament and then guide them through it.
Minty added: ‘The Jersey team has yet to be announced, but the squad for the tournament will be 14 strong.
It’s early days with Peter as our new coach and I will be talking with him soon to see if he requires anything specific to be done at training before he arrives in March.’
Jersey host the World Cricket League Division V tournament between 23 and 31 May.
All teams will be wearing coloured clothing while the 50 overs a side matches will be played with a white ball, which tends to swing a bit more early on in games.
The Jersey Cricket Board will also host the ICC European under-15 Division I Championship in 2008, between 4 and 7 August.
Countries attending are Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland, with Guernsey and Jersey competing at the level for the first time.
