IN the past the Inter Insular has always, without doubt, been the climax of the season.

But with both islands involved in ICC cricket could it be the case that the game is of less significance than in the past?

I think not. The fact that Jersey has beaten the likes of Singapore, the Bahamas, Japan and USA will count for nothing if they are not able to give a positive response to the question, ‘And how did you get on in the Inter Insular?’

So despite the ICC European Division II Championships, starting for both teams on 18 August in Guernsey and, for Jersey, a World League trip to Tanzania in October, both being big on the horizon, the 22 players that step onto the pitch tomorrow morning will not be considering this match as being any less important than any of the World Cup fixtures, especially as there tends to be particularly partisan support for both teams.

None of them will want to lose this match, and a look at the faces of the losers will show exactly what this match means to the respective islands. Besides, as is often quoted, winning is a habit, and what better way to start the international competitions than with a win over the old enemy.

The selectors have had to decide whether to only include players who are ICC qualified, or also include those who are not qualified but who have shown league form that would justify selection.

It would be a useful warm up for the forthcoming tournaments for the ICC squad, but this match has always been viewed as a one off, and the game that all league players want to play in. Selection for this match should be something all players can aspire to, regardless of their ICC credentials, and it is good therefore, to see the name of Dean Morrison in the squad.

Matt Hague, captain (Skippy, Haguey) Bat/bowl; Club: Fairbairn SCF. Batting average 38; Bowling average 23
Poor Haguey has been subject to ridicule from his workmates after an early season injury led to a lowly finish in the Rathbones Handicap. But don’t feel too sorry for him, he was the top wicket taker for Jersey in the World Cup Division 5 tournament in May, including five wickets in the all important semi final victory over the USA, and what an honour to have his picture on the 1st day cover envelopes for the cricket stamp commemorating that tournament. Will be extremely keen not to see the trophy heading back over the water, after eventually wrestling it from Guernsey’s grasp last year.

Ryan Driver (Drives, Mellman, Octo); Bat/bowl; Club: Romerils. Batting average 94; Bowling average 6
Last year’s Player of the Year has possibly had an even better year and a major force in the Romerils team that repeated their league winning antics of 2007. Amazing haul of 28 wickets at an average of six in the league tells its own story, and the three wickets he took in last year’s Inter Insular gave Jersey the impetus to get back into the game. Big influence in the World Cup matches, with both bat and ball, and will no doubt make his mark on this game.

Bobby Minty (Wickey Bobby); wicketkeeper: Club; Rathbones OVs. Batting average 19
After being understudy to Simon Short for so long has now managed to get a regular slot in the team behind the stumps and had a great World Cup tournament, taking seven catches. Useful lower order batsman. Promoted to fire safety officer for this years OVs’ BBQ after last year’s mishap with the oil tank, as he’s such a prudy square.

Steve Carlyon (Stevie); opening bat; Club; Fairbairn SCF. Batting average 47; Bowling average 19
Has been around for years now but continues to deliver the goods, none more so than in this fixture last year when he polished the Guernsey tail off for five runs when it was starting to look pretty bleak, which prompted Dave Hearse’s famous quote: ‘It would have been better for Guernsey if he had been shot at birth’. Has had a great year with both bat and ball and winner of the prestigious Rathbones Handicap competition.

Jonny Gough (Jonny); batsman;
Club: Rathbones OV’s. Batting average 35
What can you say about Jonny that has not been said before? Suave, debonair and great bowler, are three things I suppose that haven’t been said about him before, and for good reason … he’s not. He is, however, a great batsman on his day and had two telling knocks in the World Cup tournament, one against USA, the other in the final against Afghanistan, in which he top scored. Good fielder, too, and anyone who witnessed the two catches he took at gulley against the MCC could not have failed to have been impressed with his agility.

Pete Gough (Pedro, Wolfman); bat/bowl; Club; Rathbones OVs. Batting average 37; Bowling average 16
Captain of OVs and twin brother of Jonny, Pete usually rises to the big occasion and was top run scorer for Jersey in the World Cup tournament. Attracted more column inches with his coaching at the prison this year where he did such a good job training some of the inmates, although after seeing his bowling he had trouble getting out, as it was generally considered a crime that it had led to him dismissing 13 batsmen this year.

Chris Jones (Corporal Jones, Jonesy); bat/bowl; Club; Rathbones OVs. Batting average 43; Bowling average 100
Jonesy’s had a quiet year to date but is worth his place in the team for both batting and bowling, which last year saw him nearly snatch the Player of the Year award from Ryan Driver. Veteran of these matches and not likely to be showing too much emotion on the big day, although will probably be getting a bit tingly at the prospect of becoming reacquainted with his beloved lycra top. Don’t worry about bowling average, has economy rate of about 2.

Andy Dewhurst (Dewy); bat/bowl; Club; Rathobones OV’s. Batting average 27; Bowling average 16
Dewy’s a useful middle order batsman, especially if someone is needed to steady the ship and showed, with his six wicket haul in the World Cup tournament that he’s a more than capable bowler. Also managed to take a hat-trick this season when he took six wickets against Springfield, although it has to be said that the mackerel that are currently throwing themselves onto anglers hooks are harder to catch than the Springfield wickets were that day.

Nigel Crocker (Wheelie bin); bowler; Club; Romerils. Batting average 14; Bowling average 18
Has had a good season with the ball taking sixteen wickets and will be champing at the bit to get another chance to prove himself on the big stage. His club captain, Martin Waite, speaks highly of him and Peter Kirsten is keen to develop wheelie bin characteristics further by getting him to bowl left arm spin.

Dean Morrison (Deano); batsman; Club; St Ouen. Batting average: 80
Has continued last year’s impressive form and is the leading league run scorer with a top score of 143 not out against OVs. Has taken over the captaincy of St Ouen and could lead them into the latter stages of CI knock outs. Likely to have fervent support from vocal Evening League team mates from St Helier Rugby Club, Gomy, and will be hoping that the JEP will be able to get a better picture of him than the one of him slogging to cow corner. Has some nice ones of the Mrs and himself in Geneva but says they are destined for magazine publication.

Meeku Patidar (Meeks); batsman; Club: Rathbones SCF. Batting average 24
Former Island captain and one of the more experienced players. Seems to have been around for years, but it will be a long while before the Over 40’s will be able to get their decrepit hands on him. Hasn’t been quite as prolific with the bat as in previous seasons, but played in all matches in the World Cup tournament with fairly limited chances and can usually be relied upon to score quick runs when needed.

Ben Stevens (Golden boy); bat/bowl; Club; Caesareans. Batting average 18; Bowling Average 21
Has suddenly burst onto the scene and won the Player of the Tournament award in the ICC Under-17’s Division I tournament in Ireland in July. Has done well in the Premier Division in the three games he has played, scoring 34 runs opening the batting for Caesareans against Romerils in the final match. Left-arm spin bowler, he would be beating the record of selector Ward Jenner who represented the Island at the age of 18 in 1983, if he were to play. Wow, is Ward Jenner really that old? If Ben wears as well as he has I’m sure he will be very happy, even if he never reaches the heights Wardy J has on the cricket field (Rathbones Handicap winner 2007).

Tom Minty (Mints); bat/bowl; Team: Rathbones OV’s Batting average 11; Bowling average 38
Former Young Cricketer of the Year, has not had a particularly productive year in the league, but was part of the World Cup squad. Did a great job of keeping all players hydrated during that tournament and will sadly, for him, be best remembered for running onto the pitch with the oversized water bottle crate, whenever the opportunity arose, rather than for taking two wickets. Ah yes, happy memories … what two wickets?

The match at Grainville starts at 10.45 am tomorrow