'The best standard in living memory': Jersey Cricket T20 Premier preview
Jersey's Premier T20 competition kicks off on Saturday with the captain of the defending champions describing the standard this season as the "best in living memory".
Though the season has been much-delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the situation has led to most of Jersey's leading players remaining in the island, which James Perchard says will raise the level.
"It's excellent to see all of the Jersey island players back so I think we should be in for a fairly competitive league", said the Farmers skipper.
"I think most of them will be here for the majority of the tournament, which strengthens OV's the most, with Jonty Jenner, Jake Dunford, and Corey Bisson they're a lot stronger prospect than they were last season", Perchard said.
Farmers' players were the first in Jersey to return to match action last month, playing an in-house friendly as soon as local restrictions allowed, before a pair of official trial matches, put on by the Jersey Cricket Board, gave other teams the chance to experience the island's current Covid playing conditions.
With one metre social distancing still in place in Jersey, players will have to continue to stay apart on the field, however wicket-keepers can now stand up to the stumps and umpires will remain on their spot.
"I think everyone's largely used to it and as a result of the distancing going down to one metre, the impact on the players really isn't as much as the administration for the umpires [who will sanitise the ball between overs]", said Perchard.
"From a player standpoint, the game isn't changed too much, so it shouldn't have any bearing on the result".
The four-team T20 Premier will be played out over the next five weekends, culminating on a finals day on 1 August, which will see the second and third-placed sides play-off to face the top-ranked team.
"We're in with a shout, I'd say one in four", joked Perchard, "we've got a good chance with a young, dynamic side, some good top-order batters who hit the ball hard and a really varied bowling attack which always stands you in good stead in Twenty20 particularly".
"That's not to say we're favourites but we're definitely in the running", he said.
Jersey's top sides will also contest a 40-over competition this summer, starting after the T20s, which will be played in August and September.
Hear from the other three captains:
Rathbones Old Victorians - Luke Gallichan
RGA Walkovers - Nat Watkins
ATF St Ouen Springfield - Peter Gough