“FOR our plans moving forwards, this was a very successful weekend.”
Those were the words of Jersey Cricket’s new interim director of cricket, Paul Hutchison, following his Jersey Select XI’s T20 series against the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Since commencing his role within Jersey Cricket, Hutchison and his fellow new coaches have set about developing a wider squad base on the Island to offer balance for the increasing demands on the senior national men’s side.
With regular international ICC tournaments approaching over this ICC cycle, Hutchison believes there is enough talent domestically in Jersey to widen the national player pool.
“Since my arrival in the post, I’ve been really impressed with both the regular men’s national squad and the other domestic talent on Island,” he said.
“There are some good players playing club cricket over here who have the potential to play for Jersey some day.
“We have started training with a Jersey Select squad, in the aim of building the quality of local players, as well as increasing the standard of our senior squad training.”
Last weekend, MCC made the trip to Jersey, competing against Victoria College and a combined Old Victorians/Walkovers XI, finishing with the Jersey Select XI in two T20 matches on Sunday.
MCC are a global touring cricket club, based out of the iconic Lords Cricket Ground, commonly referred to as the home of cricket.
They are the lawmakers of the game as well as the custodians of Lords.
Many Jersey cricketers have joined the MCC ranks over the years, from the likes of the experienced Ward Jenner to young newcomers such as Dylan Kotedia.
Both T20 matches at Grainville on Sunday were played to a very high standard, with MCC boasting several former county players and the Jersey XI filled with a combination of senior players such as Dom Blampied, George Richardson and Harrison Carlyon, mixed with new young faces like teenage stars Alistair Webster and Sam Patidar.
Hutchison continued: “The whole point of introducing this new Jersey Select squad was to give some new guys exposure to playing good level cricket.
“We have an excellent national squad brimming with young talent, but we are aware that we will need more than just 12 or 13 players over these next crucial few years if we are to continue to push on.
“It was fantastic to see some new faces get to wear the Jersey shirt this weekend, both young and experienced.
“I thought the way they conducted themselves was very impressive and we played some good cricket against a strong MCC outfit.”
Game one saw Jersey bat first and post 140-3 from their 20 overs, Carlyon top scoring with 59 and Blampied finishing with 53 not out.
In reply, MCC knocked off the required runs just three wickets down in the 18th over.
“That first game was a good taster to see where we sat in comparison,” the new Jersey coach continued.
“Harrison was excellent up top, we all know what he can do when he strikes them cleanly, there’s not many better.
“We put up a good showing with the ball as well. We were slightly under par with the bat but we took the innings pretty deep and made a good team work for their win, which was pleasing to see as a coach.”
Game two saw roles switch, as MCC batted first and put Jersey to the sword, smashing 184-6, with Scott Simpson the pick of the Jersey bowlers taking 3 wickets for just 29 runs from his four-over spell.
In reply, it was Blampied again who led the way with his second fifty of the day. He fired an excellent 74 off 49 balls, with eight fours and two huge sixes.
16 year-old Ali Webster also impressed with his knock of 36, but the score was too far out of reach against an experienced MCC attack, as Jersey fell 21 runs shy.
“Both games were close and showed me a lot about this group of players,” Hutchison added.
“Obviously this was not our full strength senior side, but that wasn’t what these games were about.
“From my perspective, it’s about giving these guys a chance to train and play to a good level and impress us and try and earn their chance at breaking into that first team.
“From what I’ve seen and the conversations myself and the other coaches are having, I think we’re in an excellent position moving forwards with this group.
“We have exciting plans ahead and we are starting to build a really solid group of cricketers.
“If we can continue to help them, then it will help improve everything about the men’s game on Island moving forwards.”
Jersey Select XI against MCC: Dominic Blampied (c), Harrison Carlyon, Adam Hayward, Sam Patidar, Jack Kemp, George Richardson, Scott Simpson, Toby Britton, Dylan Kotedia, Kush Pathak, Louis Kelly.
