News broke this week that the islands are pondering an international move but it has brought a swift reaction from Keith Dennis, the chairman of the Channel Islands Cricket board, to put the record straight.’Several points in the article are misleading and I believe it has sent out the wrong message to officials and players in the islands,’ said Dennis.
The Jersey or Guernsey Cricket Associations can not resign from the England and Wales Cricket Board because they are not members of it.’The Channel Islands Cricket Board are discussing the issue because we are the link to the ECB.’I am the CICB’s chairman not Micky Fooks.
The closing date of 31 December is also misleading as that is for Associate membership.
If we join the ICC it would be Affiliation membership and there is not closing date for that.’Dennis said that Guernsey’s Dave Piesing was researching the ICC issue on behalf of the CICB and he’s been doing just that.’We obtained permission from the ECB to investigate the ICC route when the CI team were not able to play in the County 38s competition earlier this year,’ said Dennis, adding: ‘With a view primarily to provide competitive cricket for senior players.’The position with the 38s is being reviewed by the ECB and it may be the CI team will be able to take part again.’Dennis said ICC representatives are yet to visit Jersey and Guernsey so any meaningful discussions are somewhat premature.
When full details are available they will be carefully considered before any decisions are made.’Both islands’ cricket authorities need to be wary of making hasty decisions which could have a serious impact on the development programmes in place,’ added Minty.’The links and contacts at junior levels made via the ECB network are valuable and should be safeguarded.’Jersey youngsters get excellent opportunies off-island as strong links have been forged with Dorset and the Western region, the JCA would not wish to lose that.The CICB was set up to link into the ECB with regard to development, to receive funding and to be responsible for the proper use of those funds, to manage the works of the County Development Officers (who are employed by the ECB), and to ensure that the CI are part of the English cricket structure.The Board, while overseeing cricket in the islands, has no direct involvement with the running of domestic or inter-insular matches.
This responsibility remains with the respective cricket associations.The Board has a responsiblity for CI representative teams but has always involved the respective representative sections of the relevant associations.The Board will not be involved, except possibly in an advisory role, with the formation of a CI League or the format and age groups for inter-insular cricket.
