Last week both Romerils and Fairbairn SCF kept their unbeaten status, courtesy of wins over Rathbones OV’s and Caesareans respectively, which sets up an intriguing clash when they play each other when the league resumes on 7 June.
OV’s second successive defeat leaves the pre season favourites languishing in fourth spot (on alphabetical order) on the same amount of points as fifth placed St Ouen, who couldn’t send Dave Morfee off with a win against Springfield, who moved up into third place. Anyway, more of that in a couple of weeks’ time and let’s get back to the ICC tournament.
Hopefully by the time you get to read this Jersey will be well on their way to their first victory and if they manage to finish in the top two of the tournament, which they are well capable of, they could eventually qualify for the World Cup proper. Failing that they will have least booked themselves a ticket to Tanzania in October to play in the Division 4 event.
Tomorrow you should head up to Les Quennevais as they play Japan on the top pitch, and you will also have the opportunity to assess the much hyped Afghanistan team who play on the bottom one. For those of you who would like to come and watch but don’t know who is who, I have prepared a few pointers to help you identify the Jersey players.
The Alternative Pen Pics
Matty Hague (Club; SCF): Descriptions of an Australian that is a powerful hitter and formidable bowler may have you looking for a Merv Hughes look-a-like. Matty is more out of the Kylie mould though. The skipper is a formidable force and his steely determination to win means that it would be no surprise to see him lifting the trophy on Saturday 31 May. He should be so lucky … lucky, lucky, lucky. (Rating 96)
Ryan Driver (Romerils): Large framed Cornishman who has forsaken beloved pasties to get in shape for this tournament. The first time the Player of the Year has been qualified to represent Jersey internationally, he could be the missing link, not of course in a Darwinian sense of the word, of course. Vice captain, opening bowler and will probably bat at four. (Rating 100)
Steve Carlyon (SCF): The fact that at 40 something he’s the oldest member of the squad may have you looking for a guy with a zimmer. Freakishly high levels of fitness, however, mean you are likely to see him scampering around the boundary and not fielding in the slips, which is just as well as he has been known to drop the odd very important, bowler-on-a-hat-trick kind of catch that he’s never going to be allowed to forget! Opening batsman capable of big innings and will probably be used to bowl a few overs. (Rating 54)
Tony Carlon (SCF): TC is a real winner and wears his heart on his sleeve. Has turned many a match through sheer determination and the OV players, who can be more concerned with the niceties of the game, could learn a lot from him. May have to curb his send offs to batsmen, however, as it is could land him in the dog house at this level. (Rating 77)
Chris Jones (OVs): Made the fatal mistake of showing Pete Gough the room in his house dedicated to James Bond memorabilia and has been paying the price ever since. Seems to have got away with the revelation that when he wears his skin tight lycra top he thinks he’s spider man though. Good all rounder who will open the bowling and probably bat at number 5. (Rating 93)
Pete Gough (OVs): Bit of a golden boy for whom things seem to land on his lap. To be fair, he’s a very affable character who my wife thinks, along with his brother, has lovely teeth (not a filling between them). Stroke playing opening batsman, you’ll have your heart in mouth when watching him early in innings as he likes to play flamboyant shots. (Rating 87)
Jonny Gough (OVs): Non identical twin brother of Pete, except for teeth that is. So long in his brother’s shadow he seems to found a soul mate in Peter Kirsten, who has taken a shine to him. Idea of him bowling seems to have been scrapped, thank goodness, but batting wise he can be a real match winner. Who can forget the 150 he scored to win last year’s CI knock out final. Yeah; that’s right, the one where he got dropped first ball. (Rating 59)
Bobby Minty (OVs): Fancies himself as a bit of a critic. Last year he reviewed Black Butter on the BBC’s Countryfile, “hmm it’s not bad actually,” but more recently footwear, “I like your plimsoles Saral”, so if someone comments on your footwear while you are watching, it’s likely that you’ve been Bobbied. Nice guy actually and useful middle order batsman and wicket keeper. (Rating 50)
Tom Minty (OVs): Brother of Bobby, who has several traits that are easily recognisable. Barrel-like backside, mop of hair and unshaven, but don’t let his vagrant like appearance fool you as he is a useful little chap to have around as he can swing both ways (cricketing term) and can hit the ball surprisingly hard. (Rating 75)
Jamie Brewster (Romerils): His large frame means he is easy to spot, although you may well hear him before you see him. Destructive middle order batsman with a kit bag brimming with every accessory you are ever likely to need. Former Island goal keeper, like Steve and Tony Carlyon, so useful if the game comes down to penalties.
James Caunt (Romerils): Seems to have won the battle to be 1st choice wicket keeper, so he’ll be the one wearing the pads when Jersey are fielding giving encouragement to the bowlers. If you see him wearing pads when they are batting, Jersey could be in trouble, as he is likely to be in the nether regions of the batting order. (Rating 50)
Meeku Patidar (SCF): Former Island captain, you will probably hear Meeku as he tends to be pretty vocal in the field. Work colleagues say he is getting rather excited about this competition and has been brandishing his new bat at work playing air shots. Doesn’t take too long to find his stride when batting so useful for quick scoring and pretty good fielder. (Rating 52)
Andy Dewhurst (OVs): Trinny and Susanna may have something to say about him wearing a red cap, what with the colour of his hair, but otherwise he blends well into the team. Tidy batsman who is a good innings builder and can form good partnerships. Could be employed to bowl a few overs in the middle of the innings. (Rating 70)
Bradley Vowden (OVs): Likely to be bowling plenty of overs as Peter Kirsten has liked what he has seen thus far from Bradley. If this was a horse race he would win the best turned as he is always impeccably dressed and new kit bound to be worn with aplomb. Another destructive middle order batsman. (Rating 68)
Jason Carpenter (Physio): Likely to see him taking warm ups before the game, rub downs after the game and encouraging players to eat bananas and drink water in between. Probably been in more compromising positions with most of the players than he would like to admit to.
Management
Chris Minty: Has invested so much time and effort in organising this tournament that he will be unable to enjoy it at all. Likely to be seen pacing around anxiously pulling his hair out if things aren’t going well.
Peter Kirsten: The Jersey coach, a former South Africa Test star, with a century against England to his name, likes to wander around the boundary with clipboard making notes. Has been great for Jersey cricket and has high expectations so may also be seen pulling his hair out if things aren’t going well.
Ward Jenner: Really, really exceptionally good looking, with fine head of hair. Likely to be seen hiding from Chris Minty and Peter Kirsten as they search for more hair to pull out as what little they have left is unlikely to last long.
Keith Dennis: If a debonair chap asks you if you would like a little snifter, or perhaps a little snort of snuff, you’ve probably met KD.
