JERSEY’S men have secured automatic qualification for the next stage of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup qualifying process after producing another commanding performance to beat hosts Kenya by 123 runs in Nairobi on Sunday.
ICC Challenge League A, Nairobi Gymkhana
Jersey 320-9 (50 overs): A. Tribe 72 (86), Z. Tribe 65 (67); S. Gill 3-54, F. Mutua 2-60
Kenya 197 (42 overs): S. Gill 60 (61), D. Gondaria 55 (41), B. Ward 5-28, Z. Tribe 2-34
Jersey won by 123 runs
Leg-spinner Ben Ward (right) claimed back-to-back five-wicket hauls to help skittle the hosts for just 197 in their chase of 320, after the Tribe brothers Asa and Zak initially starred with the bat.
The victory, Jersey’s tenth from 12 fixtures in ICC Challenge League A, leaves them in an unassailable position at the top of the table and guarantees their progression to the next qualifying stage, which is to be staged in Nepal in December.
“The boys are absolutely flying at the moment,” said Jersey captain Chuggy Perchard.
“The batting has been a real highlight so far and all of the top order are getting in and kicking on to make big scores.”
Having smashed 347 for 5 against Papua New Guinea just two days earlier, Jersey produced another impressive batting display after winning the toss and electing to bat against the only team to have beaten them in the competition, back in the opening round in 2024.
Openers Josh Lawrenson and Harrison Carlyon (left) laid the foundations with an 86-run partnership, Carlyon reaching his half-century before both fell in quick succession to Francis Mutua.
The Tribe brothers then took control, combining for a superb 133-run stand for the third wicket as Jersey eyed another formidable total.
Zak Tribe, fresh from his spectacular 150 against PNG, brought up his half-century from just 51 deliveries, with Asa following shortly afterwards off 53 balls.
Zak, the elder of the brothers, looked well placed for another century. However he was caught in the covers for 65 from 67 balls while attempting to accelerate against experienced left-arm spinner Shem Ngoche.
Young England Lions star Asa continued to anchor the innings but also fell short of three figures, trapped lbw for a well-constructed 72 from 86 deliveries by the impressive paceman Sachin Gill.
Kenya fought back with regular wickets, with Gill particularly effective, claiming three victims, including Charlie Brennan with a superb yorker from around the wicket.
However, Jersey continued to find runs throughout the order to finish on 320 for 9 from their 50 overs.
Perchard was particularly pleased with the collective contribution from his batters.
“Zak’s 150 against Kenya was an incredible innings, and the Kenya performance was particularly pleasing to see people contributing all through the order,” he said.
The hosts began their reply positively, with captain Dhiren Gondaria particularly aggressive as he raced to a half-century from just 35 balls.
However, he was undone by a canny bit of spin bowling from debutante Toby Britton (right), bowled for 55 to give the young Farmers graduate his maiden List A wicket.
Once the skipper was removed, it was once again Ben Ward who proved the difference.
Having claimed 5 for 49 against PNG, the leg-spinner followed up with another five-wicket haul, tormenting the Kenyan batters with a mixture of leg-breaks and googlies delivered with virtually no change in action.
“Wardy has been outrageously good,” Perchard gushed. “Teams really struggle to pick him and to take back-to-back five-wicket hauls is a wonderful achievement.”
Ward’s effectiveness was complemented by wicketkeeper Jake Dunford (below), whose growing partnership with the spinner has become a key feature of Jersey’s middle-overs dominance.
Dunford first took a smart catch behind the stumps off Ward before producing an outstanding piece of athleticism to dismiss Kenyan wicketkeeper Irfan Karim off Lawrenson’s off-spin.
After drawing Karim forward, Lawrenson induced an edge which deflected off Dunford’s thumb and bounced away from him. The Jersey gloveman reacted superbly though, diving at full stretch to complete the catch just millimeters above the ground.
Zak Tribe also enjoyed a rare opportunity with the ball, using his high-actioned leg-spin to good effect on a turning surface.
Despite a determined 60 from a spirited Gill, Kenya were unable to recover. Asa Tribe claimed all of the final three catches to finish off the innings, dismissing the hosts for 197.
With qualification now confirmed, Perchard insists there will be no let-up over the remaining three matches against Kuwait, Denmark and finally Qatar.
Instead, Jersey will use those fixtures to sharpen their preparations for December’s next qualifying stage in Nepal, where the standard of opposition is expected to rise significantly.
“We’re looking at this now as great preparation for the next qualification stage in Nepal,” Perchard added.
“It’s more 50-over cricket for us to play and to continue to work on our skills and ensure we’re maintaining those high standards and getting even better.”
Jersey are targeting a clean sweep of their five matches in Kenya, with Perchard keen to carry that form into the next phase of their World Cup ambitions.
“We want to keep putting in good performances whenever we play and to finish this tournament with 5/5 from Kenya would be some really positive momentum for us heading into Nepal, which is coming up pretty soon now.
“The timing of this tournament I think is really good for us. Nepal is obviously going to be a big step up in quality of opposition for us but the belief is there and we’re playing some really good cricket at the moment.”
Jersey’s next fixture sees them travel to a new ground, Ruaraka Sports Club, where they will face Kuwait today before concluding against Denmark on Saturday and Qatar on Sunday.
All games are available on the ICC.tv website and app to be watched live, free of charge.
Action tomorrow is scheduled for a 6.45am start, Jersey time.
Jersey: Chuggy Perchard (c), Harrison Carlyon, Josh Lawrenson, Asa Tribe, Zak Tribe, Ben Ward, Charlie Brennan, Jake Dunford (wk), Jonty Jenner, Julius Sumerauer, Toby Britton
Kenya: Dhiren Gondaria (c), Subham Patel, Irfan Karim (wk), Rakep Patel, Sachin Gill, Francis Mutua, Peter Langat, Sachin Bhudia, Shem Ngoche, Sukhdeep Singh, Vraj Patel
