Jersey may not have qualified for next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, but their spirited performance at the recently-concluded T20 World Cup Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates showed that they are fast becoming a force to reckon with in the shortest format. The European qualifiers won three out of six matches, and it was only due to an eight-run loss to Hong Kong that they missed out on the playoffs.
Incidentally, this was not the first time that Jersey, who made their T20I debut against traditional rivals Guernsey this year, created an impression at the T20 World Cup Qualifier – they had also made their presence felt with two comprehensive wins at the previous edition in Ireland and Scotland in 2015. In view of their latest feats, here is a look at Jersey’s five most memorable T20 victories.
Beat Hong Kong by nine wickets, Bready, 2015
This was Jersey’s first outing at the World T20 (as the T20 World Cup was then known) Qualifier, and they announced themselves with a nine-wicket win over Hong Kong. Responding to Hong Kong’s 153/6, Edward Farley and captain Peter Gough ran up an opening stand of 112 in 12.4 overs. Though Farley fell for a 35-ball 57, Gough stayed unbeaten on 81 in 60 balls to ensure Jersey’s win with 16 balls left.
Beat Nepal by seven wickets, Dublin, 2015
A week later, Jersey rode on a fine bowling effort to topple Nepal. The left-arm spin of Nathaniel Watkins (3/20) removed the openers early to reduce the score to 7/2, after which the Nepalese innings never really got going, ultimately terminating at 105/8. Jersey lost Farley in the second over, but Gough (27), Jonty Jenner (30) and Cornelis Bodenstein (27*) chipped in to deliver a seven-wicket win in the 17th over.
Ben Ward (left) and Harrison Carlyon were the star performers for Jersey in their 35-run win over hosts UAE at the T20 World Cup Qualifier (source – ICC)
Beat Italy by 73 runs, Saint Peter Port, 2019
Both teams came into this T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier match with three wins, making it an extremely crucial fixture. Jenner starred with 71, lifting Jersey from 18/2 to 149/6. Captain Charles Perchard (4/14), Anthony Hawkins-Kay (2/9) and Dominic Blampied (2/13) then combined to bundle Italy out for just 76. This big win made a major impact, as Jersey won the tournament on the basis of net run rate.
Beat United Arab Emirates by 35 runs, Abu Dhabi, 2019-20
Having beaten Nigeria in their opening game of the T20 World Cup Qualifier, Jersey upstaged the hosts in their third game. Jersey were struggling at 67/4 in the 11th over, but Ben Ward hit 47 in 24 balls, pushing the total to 147. The UAE cruised to 60/0 in reply, before off-spinner Harrison Carlyon (3/15) turned the tide. Ben Stevens (3/20) and Perchard (2/22) joined in too, as the UAE were bowled out for 112.
Beat Oman by 14 runs, Abu Dhabi, 2019-20
Jersey reserved their best for their last game of the Qualifier, what with Oman being one of the pre-tournament favourites. Nicholas Ferraby (41) top-scored in a total of 141/7, but once again, it were the bowlers who stole the show. Blampied (3/27) unleashed his leg-spin on the top order, leaving the score 6/3. Later, left-arm spinner Eliot Miles (3/22) dented the middle order, and Oman were limited to 127/9.
The Cricket Cauldron 