Cricket: Nightingale to use lessons leant in Jersey to improve game here

Thursday 21 December 2023

New Guernsey men’s cricket captain Ollie Nightingale will use the blueprint from Jersey’s rise in the game as inspiration as he returns.

Nightingale led St Ouen Springfield Cricket Club In his five years on Jersey soil.

“The way Jersey handle club cricket is really impressive,” he said. 

“Being involved with the St Ouen team, I have seen the juniors break through and make an impact in the senior team.

“I’m excited to head back to Guernsey and play for my club there [Cobo] and look to implement what Jersey have done so well.

“They always seem to do really well with availability, which means the team is incredibly strong whenever they take the field and in turn has led to some really impressive performances on the biggest stages.

“You can see how much they enjoy each other’s company.

“At the moment, they are quite a bit further ahead than we are at present, but there is no reason why we can’t replicate some of that success and that’s exactly what I aim to do during my tenure.

“We have a great cricket community in Guernsey and we would love to get our youngsters progressing up to the senior side as quickly as possible.”

Nightingale has found himself in something of a limbo over the last few years, playing week in, week out with the Caesarean cricketers, before suiting up in green to face them in inter-insulars.

It has proved an “interesting dynamic” according to the 28-year-old.

He added: “It’s pretty funny actually. You end up getting stick from both the Jersey and the Guernsey guys.

“But all jokes aside, the two sets of players get on really well.

“Matches are, of course, fiercely contested, but underpinned by some very strong friendships.

“Everyone recognises how important the inter-insular fixtures are.

“Both Jersey and Guernsey are equally important to each other and both benefit from hard-fought games.

“The fixtures are always really fun and hopefully we can grab a win over the next couple of years.”

2023 marked a step in the right direction for Guernsey’s men’s national side, highlighted by an impressive 2-1 series win over Germany in Netherlands in August.

The then temporary captain Matt Stokes led the way, after Josh Butler stepped away during the year.

Now, the stage is set for Nightingale’s era, which includes hosting a Men’s T20 World Cup qualifying tournament In August, when nine nations are set to travel to Guernsey for the event.

The new captain continued: “It was a really pleasant surprise to be selected for the role.

“I am just excited to get back and stuck in ahead of a big year.

“A lot of the core team are the same players that I’ve grown up playing with since the under-15s, so I know them all very well.

“To have the opportunity to shape decisions and decide which direction to take is a great responsibility and one that I am ready for.

“Hosting a T20 World Cup qualifying tournament is massive for the island.

“There is a strong local cricketing community and to have the chance to showcase our ability on the international stage in front of home support is really exciting.”

Nightingale is set to return to Guernsey in the new year.