The confirmation came at the annual meeting of the Channel Islands Cricket Board held at La Collinette Hotel, Guernsey, over the weekend.The ICC is the governing world body of cricket and currently has 89 member countries.Joining the ICC would enable the islands to play in international competitions, both in the European region and globally.But in order to join the ICC the two Channel Islands would have to sever their connections with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which has provided development funding to the CI since 1997.Keith Dennis, chairman of both the full CICB and Jersey branch of it, said that the last remaining information required to enable both islands to formally decide where their future allegiances should lie, should be available ‘within weeks, rather than months’.Dennis also confirmed that at the CICB annual general meeting it had been agreed that the decisions of both islands should be made by 31 March 2004 and that if it was decided to make applications to the ICC, it was likely that both Guernsey and Jersey would be granted affiliate member status in June 2005, in time to enter the European region’s 2005 competitions.’There are three possible options for the CICB to consider,’ said Dennis.’Firstly, the status quo could remain, with the Channel Islands staying within the ECB.’Secondly, both islands could apply separately to join the ICC.’Thirdly, one island could opt to join the ICC with the other remaining within the ECB.’A potential fourth option of a combined Channel Islands entry to the ICC has been ruled out under the ICC’s definition of a nation in its membership eligibility,’ added Dennis.’There are many factors to consider,’ he said.Leaving the ECB would not stop the CI Over 50s competing in the ECB Over 50s knockout.
