JERSEY Cricket has announced the squad travelling to the Iberian Peninsula for the T10 European Cricket Women’s Championship in Malaga, Spain, followed by two T20 Internationals against Gibraltar in Gibraltar.
The Jersey Women make their debut at the Cartama Oval in the European Cricket Women’s Championship, Challenger Division, in which they will face off against Austria, Czechia, Germany and hosts Spain, with the winners being rewarded with promotion to the Premier Division in 2025.
The European Cricket Women’s Championship was first held in 2023, and the new Challenger Division represents a significant expansion from five teams last year to ten competing teams in 2024 across the two divisions.
The explosive format of T10 is an unforgiving one, especially for the bowlers.
The Astro-turf pitch and short boundaries lean in the favor of the batters’ big hitting capabilities.
This Jersey squad boast plenty of batting firepower however, with the likes of Analise Merritt, Aimee Aikenhead and Grace Wetherall being no strangers to clearing the ropes.
The strength in depth of bowling will also prove crucial if Jersey are to be successful. The likes of Merritt and Trinity Smith offer strong pace options, while Erin Duffy, Erin Gouge and skipper Chloe Greechan offer excellent experience and control in the spin department, something that can prove mighty effective on the bouncy Cartama Oval surface.
From Spain, the squad will then travel to Gibraltar to take on the 31st ranked side in the world in two T20 International fixtures, further adding to their exposure to top level cricket.
Jersey Women’s head coach, Darren Thomas commented, saying: “This is an exciting opportunity for us and one we’re looking forward to.
“It will be good to end the 2024 season on a high with some fast-paced T10 cricket and competitive T20i fixtures.
“Ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Qualification events, this will be a valuable experience which promises some thrilling match-ups.
“Promising young teenager Olivia Bastin is rewarded with her Jersey Cricket debut on the back of impressive bowling performances this year and we look forward to welcoming her into the fold and seeing what she can do out there.”
Jersey Women’s Squad: Chloe Greechan (c), Mia Maguire (wk), Aimee Aikenhead, Olivia Bastin, Erin Duffy, Erin Gouge, Lily Greig, Sophia Hanson, Georgia Mallet, Analise Merritt, Trinity Smith, Florence Tanguy, Grace Wetherall
