THE International Cricket Council (ICC) see the Channel Islands as a potential venue for future competitions.

It is possible the Island will host World League events at some stage, but in the medium term it is likely to be European tournaments.

‘As well as our geographical location and the security element, another big advantage is the number of good grass wickets Jersey has to offer,’ explained Jersey Cricket Board vice-chairman Ward Jenner.

‘There is no question our facilities helped us greatly with our attempt to get into the ICC, and should hopefully assist us in quickly obtaining Associate membership (where the funding kicks in) over and above our newly acquired Affiliate Status.’ He added: ‘Most European cricket is played on Nottingham [artificial] wickets.

I have played on some very dubious grass wickets and I would far rather have a game on a consistent Nottingham wicket.

But given the choice of a Nottingham wicket or a good grass strip, then the choice is obvious.’ By way of an example, the 2006 European U17 Division 2 Championship in Israel next August will be played on Nottingham wickets.

Said Jenner: ‘We have fantastic facilities, now with the Farmers ground, College Field, Les Quennevais, FB Fields and Grainville.

‘Between the two islands we have an ideal potential base for major international competitions, and with ICC funding it is possible that it could involve teams at a more senior level than us.

It could involve tournaments featuring the seond tier of world cricket.’ That would involved teams such as Kenya, Scotland, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Holland and Namibia.

Dates for the European League Division II Championships in Glasgow next August have been confirmed.

The matches will be played from 3 to 9 August.

The tournament clashes with the traditional date of the senior inter-insular, and discussions will be held to move it.

Jenner believes that this fixture will remain special and will not be diulted by the ICC involvement.

‘We will have to shift the date for next year but the inter-insular will maintain its prominence.

It is still looked upon as the feature game of the season.

I can only see the ICC tournament adding to the general level of interest in cricket – and there may be slightly different teams on show due to the different qualifying criteria.’ In what is likely to be a busy winter for the Jersey Cricket Board, another matter up for discussion is the question of player qualification for inter-insular matches.

ICC qualification criteria is laid out in complex detail in the official handbook, whereas currently there is nothing in writing about inter-insular qualification, although that is about to change.

Jenner explained: ‘At the moment the situation is completely informal, rules do not exist and both islands operate independently.

‘Over the winter we will be discussing the matter with our counterparts in Guernsey and drawing up mutually acceptable qualifications.’