Inter Insular #66 2017

played at KGV Playing Field, Guernsey
on Saturday 26th August 2017 at 10.45am
for the Odey Wealth Trophy
50 overs per side
Umpires Jeremy Sharratt (Guernsey) and Stuart Cole (Jersey), Sutan Selvachandran (3rd umpire)
Scorers Bob O’Brien (Guernsey) and Drew Livingston (Jersey)
Toss won by Jersey who elected to field
Jersey won by 2 wickets

Man-of-the-match Matt Stokes (G)

Guernsey innings	How out	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls	4's	6's			Jersey bowling	Ov	Mdn	Run	Wkt	w	nb
MWR Stokes	lbw	b Watkins	72	137	112	4	0			R McBey	9	1	26	1	1	0
JP Butler		b McBey	5	19	13	1	0			C Bodenstein	10	2	47	1	3	0
OE Newey	ct Gough	b Perchard	40	98	98	4	0			B Stevens	8	0	27	0	1	0
LJ Barker	Run Out		4	8	7	0	0			N Watkins	9	0	48	2	2	1
JC Martin+	Not Out		38	55	41	1	1			C Perchard	10	0	30	1	1	0
LB Ferbrache	ct Carlyon	b Watkins	14	17	13	2	0			E Miles	4	0	24	0	0	0
TW Nightingale		b Bodenstein	9	13	11	1	0
DR Hooper	Run Out		6	6	5	0	0
*JAJ Nussbaumer	Not Out		1	7	1	0	0
LC Le Tissier	dnb
MLA Ellis	dnb
Extras	(nb1, w12, lb2)		15
Total	(for 7 wkts in 50 overs)		204
Fall of wkts:	1-16 (Butler), 2-119 (Newey), 3-126 (Barker), 4-137 (Stokes), 5-163 (Ferbrache), 6-182 (Nightingale), 7-191 (Hooper)

Jersey innings	How out	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls	4's	6's			Guernsey bowling	Ov	Mdn	Run	Wkt	w	nb
PW Gough		b Ellis	42	85	67	2	0			M Stokes	6	0	19	0	1	0
NAT Watkins	ct Le Tissier	b Nussbaumer	23	39	42	3	0			O Newey	4	0	19	0	0	0
BDH Stevens		b Hooper	13	25	31	1	0			J Nussbaumer	6.4	0	22	2	1	0
JW Jenner	ct Martin	b Nussbaumer	31	63	37	4	0			L Le Tissier	9	0	47	1	0	0
H Carlyon	lbw	b Ellis	0	2	3	0	0			D Hooper	10	1	38	2	1	0
C Bisson		b Le Tissier	31	57	49	5	0			M Ellis	10	1	37	3	1	0
CJ Bodenstein		b Ellis	16	15	21	2	0			T Nightingale	4	0	23	0	0	0
J Dunford+	Not Out		28	42	29	3	0
*CW Perchard	ct Butler	b Hooper	10	25	18	0	0
E Miles	Not Out		1	4	1	0	0
R McBey	dnb
Extras	(w10)		10
Total	(for 8 wkts in 49.4 overs)		205
Fall of Wkts:	1-42 (Watkins), 2-70 (Stevens), 3-93 (Gough), 4-93 (Carlyon), 5-138 (Jenner), 6-163 (Bodenstein), 7-167 (Bisson), 8-202 (Perchard)

Preview

‘There is nothing rib-tickling about captain’s injury’ by Matt Lihou (Guernsey Evening Press)

GUERNSEY captain Jamie Nussbaumer is an injury doubt ahead of Saturday’s inter-insular showdown – with it unlikely that he will be able to bowl against Jersey. The 30-year-old has suffered a suspected cracked rib and, with star all-rounder Will Fazakerley also unsure whether he will bowl, there are big question marks over the home side just 48 hours ahead of the game. Nussbaumer’s younger brother Luke has already been ruled out through injury, but it is the setback to the older sibling and skipper that will now be worrying his coach Ash Wright. Both captain and coach agree that Nussbaumer could still start as a specialist captain, even if he cannot bowl, but his participation at the World Cricket League Division Five tournament in South Africa in 10 days’ time is also now in some doubt. ‘I suffered the injury last week and although it is not able to be X-rayed or scanned, it has all the symptoms and feels like it is a cracked rib,’ he said. ‘I have been dosing up on lots of painkillers but haven’t tried to bowl since it happened, so right now, I am not sure at all whether I can bowl against Jersey – it is touch and go. ‘I am dying to play in the game even if I can’t bowl, but ultimately that decision will rest with Ash and JB [Josh Butler] as vice-captain – it is not fair for me to decide. ‘With Faz also managing a niggle, it isn’t ideal preparation ahead of such a big game but it is what it is. In terms of South Africa, the first game over there will be two-and-a-half weeks after I did the injury, so I am hopeful that with painkillers and gritting my teeth, I may be able to bowl.’ Fazakerley is set to join up with the Guernsey squad to-night after his Leicestershire commitments, which have seen him play in a three-day second XI game this week. He a not expected to bowl in that as he rests his knock, but will definitely play on Saturday and regardless of his bowling fitness will bat at No. 4.

As for Jersey, they have named their own 13-man squad for the KGV clash and there are no major surprises as all bar one of their WCL group make the trip.

‘Fazackerley could be out for up to 10 months’ by Matt Lihou

WILL FAZAKERLEY admits to his great disappointment at missing today’s Inter-Insular showdown – but has backed his Guernsey colleagues to win at KGV in his absence. The 19 year-old Leicestershire all-rounder learned on Thursday evening that he had suffered a stress fracture of his back, sustained from his heavy workload this season. He is now waiting to see just how severe the injury is, with it potentially ruling him out for anywhere between five and 10 months – which could also decimate his 2018 season. For now, though, he admits frustration is the overwhelming feeling. ‘It isn’t ideal,’ he said. ‘The inter-insular and [World Cricket League] tournament in South Africa was a period I was really looking forward to because I haven’t represented Guernsey in a while. ‘It would also have been some fresh scenery, if you like, after my season in Leicestershire, plus the fact I have never played in South Africa before. ‘So it is really disappointing and hopefully I get the chance to play in future inter-insulars that is something I would really like.

‘There are still plenty of really talented young players in our squad and they have the quality to hopefully go out there on Saturday and beat Jersey, as well as doing well in South Africa.’ With Fazakerley ruled out, the big question mark over Guernsey’s team today is whether or not captain Jamie Nussbaumer will be fit enough to feature. That is coach Ash Wright’s big decision as he has to decide whether, in the event Nussbaumer is not fit enough to bowl, to pick him as a specialist batter and captain. It remains likely he will, but if the head coach opts to leave his experienced leader out, then it will be either batsman Ben Fitchet or likely seam bowler Matt Breban who comes in as a replacement.

What has come as good news to captain and coach is that Nussbaumer’s injury is not as bad as first feared – it is not a cracked rib – and he should now be fit to play a full part in South Africa. For today, Wright has confirmed who the other 10 starters will be and that Fazakerley’s replacement Lucas Barker will slot straight in at No. 4 in the batting order. He will come in behind Matt Stokes, Josh Butler and Ollie Newey, while Jason Martin, Tom Nightingale and Ben Ferbrache make up the rest of the top seven. Dave Hooper, Max Ellis and debutant Luke Le Tissier will be the remaining trio, with Nussbaumer or his replacement likely to bat as low as No. 9. Either way, Wright is content. ‘With the injuries we have had, it could have affected us quite badly but everyone is still buoyant and all of the players we have are in good form, which is pleasing,’ he said. ‘I think we probably go into this game as underdogs because Jersey have got the better of us the last couple of times we have met, but we are confident we have what it takes to get it right. ‘We have a point to prove after last year [a 55-run defeat] and we had a lot of nerves that day, so hopefully we will be better off because of that today.’

Today’s game starts at 10.45am

Match report

Luke Le Tissier received his cap from captain Jamie Nussbaumer prior to the match

Luke Le Tissier                                Guernsey Sports Photography

‘Dunford sees Jersey over line in a nervy run chase’ by Gareth Le Prevost

The all-important toss, where’s the coin gone?                    Guernsey Sport Photography

OF ALL the potential heroes on either side, Jake Dunford might not have been high up on any lists at the start of the day. But Jersey had their wicketkeeper to thank for keeping his cool with the bat and seeing them over the line in what at one stage looked like a straightforward run chase but turned into a real nail-biter in the KGV sunshine on Saturday.

It was no surprise that Matt Stokes produced a classy half-century that saw him scoop the man-of-the-match award. But Dunford’s unbeaten 28, having come in at 163 for 6 with his side still needing 42 to win and soon losing another partner to a fired up Guernsey side who had the momentum at that point, made it the crucial innings of the match. Having been set 205 for victory on a pitch where Guernsey felt they should be much nearer the 250 mark, Jersey had looked comfortable as the top four saw them up to 93 for 2 at halfway, but none of them went on to make a big score and the wheels started to come off after Max Ellis struck twice in one over.

Max Ellis rather jubilant after his success                            Guernsey Sport Photography

Up to that point, Nat Watkins had looked in good nick before being hurried by a short one by Guernsey captain Jamie Nussbaumer, who was a major injury doubt leading up to the game and ran up to bowl fairly gingerly but still fired his deliveries down at a decent pace. Ben Stevens, too, seemed comfortable at the crease and it was a surprise to see David Hooper suddenly get one through his defences, but it was when Peter Gough opted to try a reverse sweep off Ellis and missed it, then two balls later Harrison Carlyon was trapped LBW, that doubts started to creep in. Jonty Jenner and Corey Bisson eased the nerves for a while, both playing positively in a fifth-wicket stand of 45 which threatened to take the game away from Guernsey in a hurry.

Dave Hooper castles Ben Stevens                     Guernsey Sport Photography

But the Sarnian skipper brought himself back into the attack and it paid immediate dividends, having Jenner caught down the leg-side. The Sussex batsman looked disgruntled, but Guernsey were convinced he had nicked it. Corne Bodenstein hung around with Bisson for a while, but when they fell in successive overs to spinners Ellis and Luke Le Tissier respectively, there was still plenty for Jersey to do. Step up Dunford and his captain Chuggy Perchard, whose eighth wicket stand of 35 turned the tide back in the Reds’ favour. The run-rate was never going to be much of an issue, but they could not afford to give chances and they batted with great composure and control to get their team within three runs of victory before Perchard fell to the last ball of the penultimate over. Had Stokes been able to take an astonishing catch in the final over when Dunford smashed a drive off Nussbaumer straight at him at short extra-cover, there could have been a sting in the tail for Guernsey. But the chance went to ground and Dunford and Elliot Miles managed to scamper the remaining singles they needed to win with two balls to spare, much to their teammates’ relief rather than delight.

Earlier it had been no surprise to see Stokes play the anchor role with aplomb for Guernsey with a composed knock of 72 at the top of the order. But, having been given a decent platform, the home side struggled to inject the impetus they wanted in the final 20 overs of the innings against a disciplined Jersey attack backed up by some fine fielding.

Matt Stokes clips a ball to leg during his innings                              Guernsey Sports Photography

Once again Rob McBey provided the Reds with the necessary control up front with the new ball, just getting the ball to shape away from the right-handers early on from the Blanc Bois end, while Bodenstein settled down well after a wayward first over. It was McBey who made the breakthrough, castling Butler with a full delivery that had a hint of inswing that deceived the batsman who had caressed a square drive for four earlier in that same fifth over. Newey joined Stokes to consolidate and they did so, with the next 20 overs and more a bit of a cat and mouse game, largely dictated by Jersey although Stokes did capitalise on a couple of loose deliveries here and there with some classy shots, one cracking extra-cover drive off Watkins for four being the highlight. Newey was far less fluent and looked more susceptible to the Caesarean spinners who had several loud appeals for ambitious leg before decisions turned down, but he was determined to grind it out for as long as possible and did so until the 35th over.

Ollie Newey cuts a delivery to the boundary                       Guernsey Sport Photography

It was as Newey, who had reached 40 by that stage, looked to press down on the accelerator that he fell to a magnificent catch by former Jersey captain Gough off the bowling of his successor Perchard. Newey’s attempt to heave the ball into the leg-side succeeded only in flying over Gough’s head at extra cover off the leading edge, but the fielder kept his eyes fixed firmly on the ball as he turned and chased it, grabbing it on the slide as it came back down to earth. One wicket quickly brought another as Lucas Barker, the late replacement for the injured Will Fazakerley, committed himself too far down the wicket from the non-striker’s end as Perchard was appealing for LBW against Stokes, allowing Dunford to collect the ball and return it to his skipper who whipped off the bails. The very next ball, both Dunford and Perchard were convinced they had Stokes caught down the leg side, but the umpire did not agree that the noise was bat and Stokes fought on.

Not for long, though, as less than three overs later Watkins rushed a quicker ball onto the opener who could not jab down on it in time with his bat and was trapped plumb in front for a high-class 72. Ben Ferbrache joined Jason Martin at the crease with 10 overs to go and looked to add much needed urgency to the proceedings from Guernsey’s point of view. Although his stay was relatively short, Ferbrache timed the ball as well as anyone with a couple of quick boundaries that, after 43 overs, eventually forced Jersey into spreading their field and having boundary riders all around the wicket. He went going for another big hit, a leading edge to backward point off Watkins giving the left- arm spinner a second wicket, but the Greens were now starting to go through the gears.

Martin continued to lose partners at the other end – Tom Nightingale playing across and missing a straight one from Bodenstein before Hooper sacrificed himself going for a suicidal second run to get his teammate back on strike, but the wicketkeeper-batsman remained unflustered and finished unbeaten on 38 with the highlight of his 41-ball innings being the huge six over long-off off Bodenstein in the final over that required a new ball to be brought out to the middle.

Jason Martin hoists a maximum during his quick-fire innings                         Guernsey Sport Photography

Unfortunately, it all proved to be in vain for Guernsey.

Some of the supporters sedately following the ebb and flow of the game

Review

‘Jersey edge a thriller’

GUERNSEY captain Jamie Nussbaumer hopes to get another crack at Jersey in the upcoming ICC World Cricket League Division Five tournament in South Africa after the Reds edged a tense Odey Inter-Insular by two wickets with just two balls to spare to retain the trophy at the KGV on Saturday. The skipper, who passed a late fitness test, admitted his side’s total of 204 was 40 runs short of what they wanted after being put in to bat. They nearly pulled off a remarkable win as they kept chipping away with wickets before Jake Dunford saw Jersey home in the final over. ‘To be fair to Jersey, they bowled and fielded very well, and in fairness to our guys, I wouldn’t say you would look back at that innings and say that anyone has played a reckless shot or taken a poor option,’ Nussbaumer said. ‘No-one has given their wicket away, we just struggled to get on top of the Jersey bowling and, fair play, they are a very good bowling unit. We just kept losing those wickets which just didn’t let us really kick on to the total we wanted to be at. ‘Our issue [in the field] was the rate was still only at fives and then you are always struggling, you are always slightly behind. At that point
you are in no-man’s land because you can bring the field in but one boundary kills you or you leave the field out and they are ticking along at three, four, and five an over and you are just delaying the inevitable. So we were always slightly behind given the total we put together which was below par, but it’s just a bit galling that it did end up getting that close. I have said to the guys, everyone is disappointed but they can be proud of the effort they have put in today. ‘It would be nice [to face Jersey in South Africa in the final to put things right – beating them in South Africa would go some way to making up for it.’ Jersey’s new captain Chuggy Perchard knew that if his side batted for 50 overs they would reach their target. ‘It was a bit of a tight one at the end but fortunately Jake [Dunford] and Elliot Miles managed to get us over the line to great relief,’ said the Jersey skipper. ‘[During the chase] We were quite tense throughout really. We seemed to get a partnership going then someone would get out and another partnership would form but we just didn’t have a stand of 80-plus to see us home so it was a bit nerve-racking throughout really. ‘I loved the day [as captain], it was fantastic. Playing Guernsey is always a special occasion and to get a win as well really makes it even better for us.’