LONDON, July 5: The Channel Island of Guernsey has been awarded associate member status of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Guernsey became the 34th associate member after a unanimous vote at the ICC’s annual conference in Dubai this week, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

The Sussex County Cricket Board entered an agreement with its Guernsey counterpart two years ago that Sussex officials would help run the island’s senior team. “It’s great news for Guernsey and Sussex Cricket,” said Keith Greenfield, the Sussex Cricket Performance Manager.

“Our link with Guernsey has gone from strength to strength and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the standards of their cricket to improve.”

Two other countries applied for associate status, but Vanuatu’s bid was rejected on the grounds that they had not beaten two associate members, while Mozambique withdrew their application.

Three European nations — Bulgaria, Estonia and Turkey —were granted affiliate status, giving the ICC a total of 104 members.—AP