Jersey retain T20 cup but Greens end on high note
It was a momentous occasion at ‘fortress’ Port Soif yesterday as Guernsey claimed their first international T20 win over Jersey.
Although the Reds had already retained the Inter-Insular Cup by virtue of their two exemplary run chases at the KGV on Saturday, which gave them a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the Greens turned the tables on their visitors with an impressive four-wicket win with five balls to spare on the west coast yesterday afternoon – their first win over the old enemy since the 50-over triumph at the same ground in 2015.
‘Very happy – it got a bit tense at the end, but I think when you’re trying to win the first one in nigh-on 10 years against them, it’s always going to get tight, there’s always going to be nerves,’ said Guernsey skipper Ollie Nightingale, whose brother Tom was player of the match for his 61 from 36 balls that helped them chase down 149.
‘The guys fielded better today, bowled with better plans and then Tom probably batted today how he has the rest of the season, which always helps.
‘Ferbs [Ben Ferbrache] sent a message last night saying it’s a bigger upset than Pakistan losing to USA in terms of rankings, so it’s good for us.
‘They’re a really good side and they deserve to win the series 2-1, but we’re improving and, like we said, that’s all we can ask as we gear up towards the [ICC Men’s T20I World Cup sub-regional Europe qualifying] tournament and keep learning from this.’
In both of Saturday’s matches Jersey had won the toss over Guernsey, restricting them to 156 in the first and then 134 in the second before knocking off the required runs expertly with Nick Greenwood and Jonty Jenner starring with the bat with brilliant half-centuries.
However, yesterday’s response from the less experienced Guernsey squad was particularly encouraging as they beat the side ranked 25th in the world compared to themselves at 37th and the skipper called it a ‘massive’ confidence boost.
‘The guys now know that they can beat sides that are probably better than us, or at the moment are better than us, and that’s what we’re striving for,’ Nightingale said.
‘They’ve got some seriously good players and hopefully our guys can keep progressing and we’ll beat them in the years to come as well. But for this summer, it’s really exciting.’
More reaction and game three report to follow. Read reports on games one and two in Monday’s Press.
