Guernsey cricket: U19s 'can step up to senior side'

Guernsey Cricket team manager Mike Kinder says some of the players from the Under-19 side can expect call-ups to the senior squad in the near future.

Director of cricket Nic Pothas took the U19s to the Netherlands and saw the team record an impressive win against the hosts in their final game.

"Nic wanted them to learn and put that into action, and they're doing it," Kinder told BBC Guernsey.

"Some of these guys will make their way into the Guernsey side very shortly."

Guernsey's U19s lost their other fixtures in the tournament - the winners of which will qualify to compete in the ICC U19 World Cup next year - but Kinder found plenty of cause for optimism.

"These guys could have been disheartened and given up, but they didn't - they've got better and better," he said.

"We came here with nothing to lose. We were under no pressure but we wanted a win and we've done it. It's fantastic after all the trials and tribulations of the last week.

"If you've got a coach that wants to being people through with a positive philosophy then you're going to get there, rather than just turning up and thinking you'll play for Guernsey. That won't happen with Nic."

Pothas will take some of the younger members of the squad to Jersey on Monday for an U17 tournament, and Kinder said some of the others could anticipate opportunities against a Sussex Academy side and a senior game against Jersey in September.

"The hard work starts with the winter programme," added Kinder.

"We've identified things we want to do - including building up the seam bowlers in strength and technique to get them to the level where we've got the pace that other teams have got."