Guernsey cancel Cyprus games after military action

Guernsey's international series with Austria and Cyprus has been cancelled due to the military action in the Middle East.

Guernsey were due to face their European rivals in Cyprus in a T20 tri-series from 12-16 March.

The matches were to be held at the Happy Valley Ground, which is in the Akrotiri sovereign base area run by the United Kingdom.

But the base has come under attack from Iranian drones in recent days, leading to the event being cancelled.

The UK has sent Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon to the island to help bolster RAF Akrotiri's security.

The matches were warm-up games for Guernsey's upcoming qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.

"Unfortunately due to the the situation in that part of the world we've made the decision to cancel," Guernsey Cricket's chief operating officer Richard Headington told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"The players fully understand the reason why, but it was quite an important event for us because we're going over again in May, hopefully, for the actual senior men's World Cup qualifying tournament.

"This would have been an ideal preparation to actually experience playing at the grounds and get to know the island and obviously the opposition with Cyprus."

Guernsey are scheduled to play in the 10-team Europe Sub-regional Qualifier A in Cyprus from 16-23 May where the hosts and Channel Island rivals Jersey will be among their opposition.

The winning side will progress to the final stage of European qualifying for the World Cup next year.

Guernsey will now arrange warm-up games with county academy sides over Easter before they fly out to Cyprus for the tournament in May.