JERSEY WOMEN are looking up the ICC world T20 ladder after completing a clean sweep of victories on their return to international cricket.
The Islanders beat France for the second time in three days to win the T20I Quadrangular Series in Paris on Saturday – a result that head coach Lee Meloy says will breed confidence as the squad enters a busy summer period.
Having beaten all three of their opponents in the opening two days of the competition, including Austria and Spain, Jersey were clear favourites to leave Dreux with the silverware when they met the hosts once again.
With the backing of 100 or so vocal supporters – including the Austrians and Spanish, who were behind the underdogs – France protected their wickets well in the first innings but were ultimately a little light on the run tally. They reached 83/2 in 15 overs and ended on 125/5, with the help of a half century from Poppy Mcgeown.
There was a danger that Jersey would not meet their target, having lost Maria Da Rocha and Lily Greig in the first over and then Chloe Greechan before the 30-run mark was reached. However, Charlie Miles and Trinity Smith swung the game firmly in Jersey’s favour with unbeaten knocks of 33 and 56, respectively, and a six-wicket triumph completed a perfect trip with 3.2 overs to spare.
‘We came here with the focus on winning four from four and winning the tournament,’ said Meloy. ‘The girls knew that if they put in good individual performances and everyone did their job they would be successful. But what I actually enjoyed the most was the fact that we got ourselves out of sticky situations with the bat. There were periods against Spain and France [on Saturday] where we required one big partnership to get us back into the game.
We had a couple of special knocks, including Trinity’s. She came in with us at 33/4 and played a counter-punch innings. She took the game to them and looked to score boundaries early.
‘I’d have liked us to have been a bit more disciplined with the ball – we probably gave away too many runs – but I was delighted with the way the girls worked as a unit in the field.’
Discussing the importance of competitive internationals, Meloy said: ‘It was brilliant for the younger players in particular, who have waited a long time for the opportunity to play ICC cricket with ranking points. And for the older players, it was a great chance to find out where they sit among European cricket after a couple of years out.’
Jersey, currently ranked 35th in the world, are next in action on 25 and 26 June, when they welcome Guernsey to Grainville for the 2022 inter-insular. Later in the summer, they are set to face Irish side Northern Knights, before a potential trip to Austria for another T20I tournament.
