Beyond the Boundary!

Beyond the Boundary brings you another interview from the world of non-test cricket. This time it’s with Chris Minty, the director of cricket for Jersey. Chris became an ECB development officer for Jersey in 1997, and became Director of Cricket when Jersey became an ICC affiliate member last year. It’s a cricketing family too, his sons Robert and Thomas both played for Jersey in the recent European Championships.

He’ll be hoping they, along with the rest of the team of course, play well when they take on neighbours Guernsey in the annual inter-insular match early next month. My questions are in normal type, and the responses from Chris are in italics.

1. Where do you see Jersey cricket in 10 years time?

My hope is that we will be competing somewhere between the current top sides in the existing Division 1 and Division 2. I like to aim high but we have to be realistic!

2. Did the European Championship performance meet your pre-tournament expectations? How do you think you will do next time out?

We did not know what to expect so we resolved to work at our own game and play to the best of our ability. We now know that we should really have won the competition and that this has to be the plan for next time. All those involved enjoyed it immensely.

3. Why was the decision taken to break away from the ECB?

The ‘break away’ was supported by ECB and seen as proof of the value of the development programme. The main aims were to provide meaningful competition for our senior players and to give our development programme something to aim for.

4. Although you’ve only just become an affiliate member, how soon do you see becoming an associate member of the ICC?

We aim to apply as soon as possible

5. What initiatives outside the ECC’s tournament structure are being taken to provide Jersey with a higher class of opponent? Are games against county sides a possibility?

Full county opposition is not realistic but we will look to encourage teams from Europe and elsewhere to play us both home and away – we welcome enquiries from visiting teams. Jersey is a lovely Island and we are fortunate to have great cricket facilities.

6. Are the ICC doing a good job with the development program? What sort of support do you get from them and the ECC?

It’s a little early to gauge this. Our development programmes are quite well advanced already. We have enjoyed good support with coach and umpire education to date.

7. Does it annoy you when a publication like the Wisden Almanack criticises the expansion of the game?

I cannot understand this criticism.

8. Some contributors on our site have wondered if having such a small population, and therefore a small player base, can count against a team
in terms of long-term consistent performances. How would you repsond to that?

Jersey is a very ‘sporting island’ that seems to produce good performers in most sports. Small communities tend to be competitive and my view is that a small concentrated player base serviced by good coaching and facilities will produce good players. I am fortunate that I can identify all the promising young players ‘in the system’. Our squad of 14 in Scotland included 9 local products six of whom were under 26. They all played well.

9. Did England’s sucess in the Ashes last year have a knock-on affect on
cricket in Jersey?

Absolutely! The surge in interest has been difficult to cope with but what a tremendous problem to have! During my time as an ECB Development Officer all we wanted was a successful National team – and it finally produced the goods – tremendous!

10. Who are the players from Jersey we should look out for in the next
few years?

It would be unfair to mention individuals but I can identify several players in each age group that will come through the system as good players. I have already identified 16 and 17 year olds who will be under consideration for the senior side in two years time and the prospects are exciting.

11. In recent years we’ve seen top players from Ireland and Scotland get snapped up by the England team, Ed Joyce being the most recent example. If this was to happen to a Jersey player would you be pleased that he’d have reached the highest level, or sad that you’d lost a player that could have taken Jersey to a higher level?

I would be absolutely delighted (and very proud) if our system produced such a player!

12. How is the youth development program in Jersey? How big a blow was the cancellation of the Under 17 European 2nd Division tournament?

Our development programme is very strong with a good coaching and playing schedule that provides the players with opportunities to learn and play the game. The cancellation of the Under 17 competition was a major disappointment but not entirely unexpected.

13. And also what is the state of the women’s game in Jersey?

The women’s game is developing. We teach cricket to girls in the schools and there is a girls Kwik cricket competition. We hope that this will produce more players for the women’s section which has been working for the last 18 months and hopes to play their first match with Guernsey in September of this year.

And some facts on Jersey cricket from Chris:

• All secondary schools play cricket
• Most primary schools play Kwik cricket – seven play hardball cricket
• Island teams/ squads in place from U10’s to U18’s
• Adult weekend cricket – 6 teams in Premier Division with 2nd X1’s in Division 1 and U13 teams in Division 2.
• Evening League cricket – 3 divisions.
• The Jersey Island Cricket Club plays against touring sides, including MCC – enquiries welcome.
• 6 grass squares, 4 of which have artificial pitches and two additional separate artificial pitches.
• All grounds have covers, pavilions, sightscreens etc.

The Jersey Cricket website can be found at www.jersey.cricketeurope.net.

Thanks to Chris for answering my questions, and letting us all know a little “behind the scenes” information on cricket in Jersey. It’s always good to know about the game’s progress in the non-test countries. Beyond the Boundary wishes all involved with Jersey Cricket all the best for the future.