Jersey ensure World Cup progress after PNG win

Image source, ICC

Image caption,

Zak Tribe’s 150 was his highest score for Jersey

ByBrent Pilnick

BBC Sport

Jersey ensured progression to the next round of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup after a record-breaking win over Papua New Guinea in Nairobi.

Jersey scored 347-5 - their highest-ever tally in a 50-over game - as Zak Tribe's 150 became his biggest total for the island.

In reply Papua New Guinea could only muster 175 all out from 36.5 overs as Ben Ward took 5-49 in a 172-run victory.

The win means Jersey are guaranteed a top two finish in ICC Challenge League A, and with it a place in December's ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off in Nepal.

Image source, Jersey Cricket/ICC

Image caption,

Jonty Jenner hit 72 off just 23 balls for Jersey

Having lost opener Harrison Carlyon for 18 off 19 balls after four overs, Jersey's star batter Asa Tribe made his return to the island side.

The Glamorgan and England Lions player had not played for Jersey since last summer, but he had a tricky return.

He and Josh Lawrenson put on just 12 runs in the first six overs of their partnership before Tribe eventually went for 23 off 29 balls when he was bowled by Aue Oru in the first ball of the 13th over to leave Jersey on 58-2.

His brother replaced him, and with opener Lawrenson set about a disciplined third-wicket partnership - Tribe reached his half-century off 58 balls while Lawrenson's 50 came off 74 balls.

Tribe brought up his century with a huge six on his 105th ball as he and Lawrenson put on a match-defining 165-run stand before Lawrenson was bowled by John Kariko for 72 off 95 balls.

Any restrictions to Jersey's batting were removed after Lawrenson's departure as big-hitting Jonty Jenner replaced him and hit a 17-ball half-century, ending on 72 from 23 balls that included nine sixes and two fours as he and Tribe put on 113 runs for the fourth wicket inside just 6.4 overs.

Tribe went on to hit five sixes and 11 fours as he ended on 150 off 129 balls - his total has only been bettered by brother Asa who scored 175 in a win over Qatar last summer.

In reply, Carlyon struck in the first over as he claimed the wicket of Doko Rupa for a duck to leave the Papuans on 3-1.

But Sese Bau and Lega Siaka put on 46 for the second wicket before George Richardson bowled the dangerous Bau for 22 as his side moved on to 48-2 from 10 overs.

Ben Ward claimed Siaka for 39 before bowling Patrick Nou for 14 and captain Assad Vala for four as Papua new Guinea were reduced to 86-5 off 19.2 overs.

Ward went on to claim two more wickets as they moved on to 101-8 off 24.2 overs.

But Kabis Morea and Alei Nao provided some stiff ninth-wicket resistance with a partnership of 64 before Nao was bowled by Charles Perchard for 32.

Morea went on to make 40 before being trapped lbw by Lawrenson as Papua New Guinea ended on 175 all out from 36.5 overs.