Danish Cricket Yearbook 2017

n Af Jeremy Bray og Frederik Klokker The Denmark development team were invited to Guern- sey to play two games on a very short trip that had a lot of traveling. Normally with all that traveling, it would be ideal to be playing more than just the two games, but that was what Guernsey could offer. The development team that went to Guernsey was a very young and tal- ented side and was once again led by Hamid Shah. The first game was a very close encounter, with Guernsey batting second, winning in the last over chasing 220. Den- mark batted first in difficult conditions started off well with Jonas Henriksen and Shangeev Thas both getting 40’s before getting bogged down by slow bowling and we lost three wickets. Denmark continued to lose wickets until a very valuable partnership between Zameer Khan and Magnus Kristensen, that got the Danes to a respecta- ble total. Denmark took wickets at crucial times through- out the Guernsey innings, bowling well was Saif Ahmed, Anique Uddin and Magnus Kristensen. The skipper Hamid Shah and Nicolaj Damgaard chipped in with some use- ful overs also. We still need to work on our catching and ground fielding when we are put under pressure. It is easy to see that we are not put under pressure enough in the field at home in Denmark and that is seen at crucial times in both games. A late order partnership saw Guernsey getting over the line, in what was a very even contest be- tween the two sides. The second match was played in beautiful cricketing con- ditions at the no 1 ground in Guernsey. Denmark fielded first and through outstanding bowling from Saif Ahmed, who bowled his 10 overs for as few runs and combined with a couple of wickets kept Guernsey to a total of around 240. Denmark got off to a flying start with Saif Ahmed and Jonas Henriksen putting on a century part- nership which saw both batsmen getting to 50 before getting out. From overs 20-30 saw the Danish batsmen struggle to adapt to the wicket getting slower and the ball softer. As the run rate started to rise, wickets started to fall. In the end the Danes fell around 12 runs short of the winning total. Hamid Shah was the other major con- tributor for the Danes getting a well compiled 60 not out. We saw the challenges we face at all national levels, when we are up against decent spin bowling, on a wicket that was a bit slow and low, but by no means a difficult wicket. Over all we need to get better at playing spin, working out what you can and cannot do, so the development players can go back to their clubs and work on strengths and weaknesses. The two development tours led by Hamid Shah to both Essex and Guernsey created fantastic opportunities for all involved especially the young and inexperienced mem- bers of the touring side to show exactly what they can do and impress for higher honors regarding senior national debuts. It was a pleasure to be in Guernsey who looked after us very well. Denmark played at two nice grounds with decent facilities and a place I would go again, but as I said earlier it would have to be for a longer period. Morten Hedegaard and I enjoy the attitude shown by the majority of the players on the tour. I will look forward to try and develop these players in the future. Development team to Guernsey Anfører og træner giver gode råd Spillere og trænere følger slagets gang I 29 I DANSK CRICKET ÅRSSKRIFT 20 17