Matt Stokes has his heart set on representing his native Guernsey in next month’s World Cricket League tournament in Benoni, on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
But whether the St Cross Symondians all-rounder makes the flight to South Africa’s High Veldt largely depends on how he shapes up in this weekend’s inter-insular domestic showdown with arch Channel Islands rivals Jersey.
Stokes’s season suffered a real setback six weeks ago when he badly dislocated and lacerated his index finger spilling a fierce slip catch against the Hampshire Academy.
He underwent surgery almost immediately and plans to tip-toe his way back into action against the arch Channel Islands ‘enemy’ over the next two days.
“The dislocation repaired quickly and I had movement back in my injured finger a fortnight or so after the accident,” he explained.
“But there was a deep laceration which needed stitching and my worry is opening the cut up again with the impact of the ball. That's the worst thing that I think could happen.”
Stokes’s injury meant the Southampton Solent University student playing only seven Premier Division games for St Cross, although he did supplement that with competitive Sunday cricket for Guernsey Sarnians in the Sussex League.
But, having helped Solent to unprecedented success in the BUCS Championships, Stokes is keen for more competitive action.
“These World League matches embrace different cultures and give you an almost unique opportunity to play against cricketers from all over the globe,” he smiled.
“In our Division 5 group, for example, we’ve got European opposition in the shape of Germany and Italy, the Cayman Islands, Vanuato (East Pacific), Ghana and Quatar.
“And I mustn’t forget Jersey.”
The round-robin 50-over competition begins on September 3 : Stokes has every reason to have his fingers crossed to be in Benoni for it …
But whether the St Cross Symondians all-rounder makes the flight to South Africa’s High Veldt largely depends on how he shapes up in this weekend’s inter-insular domestic showdown with arch Channel Islands rivals Jersey.
Stokes’s season suffered a real setback six weeks ago when he badly dislocated and lacerated his index finger spilling a fierce slip catch against the Hampshire Academy.
He underwent surgery almost immediately and plans to tip-toe his way back into action against the arch Channel Islands ‘enemy’ over the next two days.
“The dislocation repaired quickly and I had movement back in my injured finger a fortnight or so after the accident,” he explained.
“But there was a deep laceration which needed stitching and my worry is opening the cut up again with the impact of the ball. That's the worst thing that I think could happen.”
Stokes’s injury meant the Southampton Solent University student playing only seven Premier Division games for St Cross, although he did supplement that with competitive Sunday cricket for Guernsey Sarnians in the Sussex League.
But, having helped Solent to unprecedented success in the BUCS Championships, Stokes is keen for more competitive action.
“These World League matches embrace different cultures and give you an almost unique opportunity to play against cricketers from all over the globe,” he smiled.
“In our Division 5 group, for example, we’ve got European opposition in the shape of Germany and Italy, the Cayman Islands, Vanuato (East Pacific), Ghana and Quatar.
“And I mustn’t forget Jersey.”
The round-robin 50-over competition begins on September 3 : Stokes has every reason to have his fingers crossed to be in Benoni for it …
