CI cricket league gets go-ahead

It is hoped a bigger league will mean closer games in the Channel Islands

A new Channel Islands cricket league could start next summer after the cricket boards of both Jersey and Guernsey agreed to the move.

It is aimed at raising the standard of cricket as both islands try to move up the international cricketing ladder.

"The prospect of playing more varied opposition and on different pitches can only help us," said Guernsey Cricket Board chairman David Piesing.

All 11 clubs in the two islands would be expected to take part in the league.

Jersey captain Matt Hague told BBC Jersey after their relegation from World Cricket League Division Four that the lack of close matches had not helped them when they faced tough teams internationally.

Part of the challenge we face when we go and play in competitions is coming up against people for the first time and not knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are

GCB chairman David Piesing

And Piesing hopes the new league will help close that gap.

"We're coming up against the same players on the same pitches all the time," he said.

"Part of the challenge we face when we go and play in competitions is coming up against people for the first time and not knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are and having to work them out as you go along."

Last season Cobo cruised to the Guernsey League title, while Romerils, Old Victorians and Sporting Club Francais battled it out for the Jersey crown.

Cobo lost the Channel Islands Championship in a shock defeat to fellow Guernsey side Wanderers in the final.

The CI Championships were re-vamped in 2004 from a straight knock-out to a round-robin stage, with two groups of four comprising the top eight sides in the two islands.

The idea then was to get more competition amongst the top sides in both islands.