As the dust settles I am sat slightly jet lagged at the breakfast bar in my kitchen contemplating how good or great an experience Pepsi ICC World Cricket League 6 was for Guernsey, and how much I missed Marmite.

Jeremy Frith the cricketer sits here thinking “if only”, whilst Jeremy Frith the person, husband and friend can see maybe 3rd place was the ideal outcome.

Singapore was the perfect host for the tournament. Pitches in close proximity to each other and the hotel, excellent accommodation, hospitality and catering, and some very friendly faces.

Having arrived a week early to acclimatise I think the only thing that could of been better was the opportunity to play and train on grass wickets. However a game against Ceylon Cricket Club on artificial got us in to cricket mode and some training sessions outside got our bodies and minds used to the conditions.

The first two games we were so far off the pace it wasn’t funny. Some ridiculous collective decision making, some misfortune and inexperience combined to see us lose to a good Singapore side and Bahrain. We put ourselves in a strong position against Malaysia in the third game but played some poor cricket as well as some inspired stuff to lose in the last over. At the end of three games we were won 0 lost 3 and contemplating relegation.

Against Norway and Botswana we performed quite well but were still well short of our best, however it was enough to win and avoid relegation. It could have been very easy for us to disintegrate and split off in to disgruntled groups however everyone stuck together and we found ourselves playing off for 3rd place. The spirit in the group is and always has been strong, we often win games because of our fighting spirit however we need to be winning games by nailing our skills as well, which unfortunately was the reason we were playing off for third and not first.

The final game against Malaysia was therefore an opportunity for us to put right a few wrongs with the knowledge we had retained Div 6 status and prove to ourselves and others that we are and should have been a force at this level. A couple of players who had not featured too heavily in the week got opportunities and finally we got somewhere near to playing how we know we can and came out winners against a very good Malaysia team. The general consensus amongst the senior players was this was the best victory Guernsey has had in ICC cricket.

My disappointment at not qualifying for Nepal is tempered by an amount of realism in the fact it was our first tournament outside of Europe, the conditions for us were more alien than for any other team and that we had a young squad who will hopefully have learnt a massive amount. As a team we have a brand of cricket that we play, which works in our own back yard. Playing against some explosive players on wickets with some pace and bounce meant that we had to change and adapt. The fact we did this is a huge credit to the group as a whole.

Young players, Tom Kimber, Jonny and James Warr, Ben Ferbrache, Kris Moherndl and Jamie Nussbaumer all had a number of bright moments whilst GH Smit had a very strong tournament. Stu Le Prevost did a great job as captain which with a 1 month old baby at home and all the distractions should not be underestimated. Personally it is tricky for me to say I had a great tournament even though I picked up the player of the week as I still feel I should have scored 500+ runs and got us over the line against Bahrain and Malaysia in the group stages. As a batter you always go out thinking you can score a hundred or finish the job and be there at the end but it doesn’t always happen.

Guernsey cricket has moved a long way in the last 6 years. From members of ECB lumped in to one region with Jersey, to now having very much its own identity and in control of its own destiny. The transformation of players expectations and the expectations others have of those in the national squad has also dramatically changed. Once a game year versus Jersey and in our later days of ECB affiliation being part of the 38 Counties K.O, now we have played almost 20 games as a squad this season, plus playing in an expanded domestic programme.

Less of an issue for a cricket badger like me that grew up at a cricket club watching my Dad play until I was old enough to get on the pitch as well. For those that have not had that all consuming cricket education they have given and sacrificed alot. Nepal could have been a bridge too far asking players for 5th and 6th weeks of time off work in a economic year for cricket. As it is the group is alot tighter, everyone has had a great time and enjoyed each others’ company and we can’t wait for our next venture in to International cricket.

Good or great trip? Personally good, performances on the pitch good, bigger picture for Guernsey cricket... Great!