The Weston Shield, an invitational event which will make its debut at the Santarem Cricket Ground in Portugal on 6-7 April, will pit the Knights against Team Europe in a T10 series to showcase the best European cricket talent.
Sarnians Ben Fitchet, Tom Nightingale, Adam Martel and Luke Bichard have been named in the initial 30-man preliminary squad. They join Asa Tribe, Chuggy Perchard, Jonty Jenner and Julius Sumeraeur from Jersey and host of top players from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Guernsey senior men’s team manager Rob Thomson has accepted the invitation to manage the Knights side, who will be coached by Pete Johnston, the academy and performance manager of Cricket Ireland.
The preliminary group will be cut to a final 14-man squad by the end of this month, based on availability and squad balance, with a limit of four players from the same country.
‘Within the world of the European Cricket Network it’s the biggest event they’ve ever put on in terms of standard,’ said Thomson of the event, which has been named in honour of Daniel Weston, the founder of the European Cricket Network.
‘There will be a host of professional cricketers involved and expect at least the usual standard of production and broadcast.’