TODAY marks a highlight in the Channel Island cricketing community, as Guernsey travel to take on Jersey in the T20I Inter Insular Tri-Series.
Game one of the three T20I matches is scheduled for a 4pm start today at the National Cricket Centre at Grainville, with games two and three set for tomorrow, 11am and 3pm respectively.
The 2024 edition of this clash saw Jersey claim the honours with a 2-1 series win at KGV in Guernsey.
“We’re really looking forward to these games,” said Jersey captain Chuggy Perchard.
“The boys have been training hard for what feels like a long time now all through winter and we’ve finally arrived at the inter-insular.
“The games with Guernsey are always tasty affairs but I think we have a really strong squad this year.”
The red half of the Channel Islands will be without a few recognisable names, most notably Asa Tribe, who is currently contracted to professional club Glamorgan CCC.
Other absences include all-rounder Dom Blampied, star of the recent T10 ECS Liberation Series, fellow spinner Toby Britton, ace wicket keeper Jake Dunford and left-arm seamer, Scott Simpson.
Exciting additions include teenage paceman and U19 star Theo Pullman, as well as South African all-rounder and Jersey RFC jet, Scott Van Breda.
“We’re really excited to welcome into the group Theo [Pullman] and Scott [Van Breda],” Perchard continued, “we’re buzzing to see what they can do on this stage.
“Theo’s a really bright young prospect for us and he’s progressing rapidly. Having him adding to our bowling ranks is massive for us, in an area where we haven’t always been blessed with massive depth over the years.
“Scott coming in as well adds good depth with both bat and ball. As an ex-professional rugby player, he knows what it’s like to play sport at this level and his experience will be extremely valuable.”
Jersey director of cricket Paul Hutchison added: “The squad features the return of players who have spent the winter seasons in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a well-earned call-up for multi-talented sportsman Scott van Breda.
“Scott has impressed with his consistency, athleticism, and strong start to the season – he thoroughly deserves his place in the side.”
Despite the lack of professional Asa Tribe, Jersey boast another batter of elite level pedigree in Wellington Firebirds opener, Nick Greenwood.
The Jerseyman turned Kiwi has represented one of New Zealand’s top professional clubs for several years now, bringing home outstanding pedigree with the bat, ball and in the field.
Perchard continued: “Nick [Greenwood] back from New Zealand is massive for us. It’s always a huge boost to have someone in the ranks who’s been playing professional cricket for the last few years, he’s a class act.
“We’re missing a few names, but the squad itself is shaping up really well now with good depth across the board. We’ve got a wider group of lads who have been in training for a while now. It’s great to have Guernsey back over here for this series. Securing a 2-1 win last year was a good effort, but it’d be great to secure a ‘red-wash’ this time around.”
“But we know we can’t take them lightly. They have a really strong side who are progressing well under a good coach and a strong leader in Ollie [Nightingale].
“Hopefully we can put on a good show, be blessed with some good weather and entertain our local crowd.”
From the Sarnians’ perspective, skipper Ollie Nightingale added: “We have some new faces in the squad this week who are excited to be involved for the first time and we’re looking forward to seeing how they get on at this level.
“We have some absentees and people unavailable for the full weekend, which is really disappointing, but it presents opportunities for others to step up and make a case for their spots moving forwards to a huge summer for us.”
Guernsey travel with a strong squad of their own, introducing tall young quickie Harry Johnson, who will be looking to impress.
Hard-hitting Tom Nightingale will be looking to star with the bat, alongside his brother and captain Ollie, former captain and opener Josh Butler and the fast-handed Zac Damarell.
On paper, however, a Jersey batting group including the likes of Charlie Brennan, Harrison Carlyon, Greenwood, Jonty Jenner, Stan Norman, Zak Tribe, Patrick Gouge and Julius Sumerauer should send shivers down most batting line-ups.
“Whenever Jersey play Guernsey, it’s never just another match,” Hutchison concluded. “It’s about pride, tradition, and representing your island with everything you’ve got.
“The players know exactly what this fixture means to our supporters – and with World Cup ambitions on the horizon, it’s also a crucial opportunity to build momentum and make a statement before the qualifiers begin.”
T20I Inter Insular Squads
Jersey
- Chuggy Perchard (c), Daniel Birrell, Charlie Brennan, Harrison Carlyon, Patrick Gouge (wk), Nick Greenwood, Jonty Jenner, Stan Norman, Will Perchard, Theo Pullman, Julius Sumerauer, Zak Tribe, Scott Van Breda
Guernsey
- Ollie Nightingale (c), Luke Bichard, Charlie Birch, Martin Dale-Bradley, Josh Butler, Zak Damarell, Ben Ferbrache, Ben Fitchet, Harry Johnson, Adam Martel, Tom Nightingale, Charlie Simmonds, Anthony Stokes, Matt Stokes
Fixtures:
Game 1: Friday 05/06 @ 4pm
Game 2: Saturday 06/06 @ 3pm
