Jersey sealed their progression to the next round of Cricket World Cup qualifying with a record-breaking 172-run win over Papua New Guinea in Nairobi. Their 347-5 was the highest total in their history in a 50-over game, and Zak Tribe made 150, the biggest individual score for the island.
Papua New Guinea could only reach 175 all out from 36.5 overs, with Ben Ward taking 5-49. The result guarantees Jersey a top-two finish in ICC Challenge League A, and with it a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off in Nepal in December.
Lawrenson and Tribe lay the foundation
Jersey lost opener Harrison Carlyon for 18 off 19 balls after four overs. Their star batter Asa Tribe, who plays for Glamorgan and the England Lions, returned to the island side after not appearing for Jersey since last summer. His comeback was a difficult one. He and Josh Lawrenson added just 12 runs in the first six overs of their partnership, and Asa eventually fell for 23 off 29 balls, bowled by Aue Oru with the first ball of the 13th over. Jersey were 58-2.
Asa’s brother Zak came in and, alongside Lawrenson, built a disciplined third-wicket partnership. Zak reached his half-century off 58 balls, while Lawrenson’s 50 came off 74 balls. Zak brought up his century with a huge six off his 105th delivery, and the pair put on a match-defining 165 runs before Lawrenson was bowled by John Kariko for 72 off 95 balls.
Lawrenson’s departure freed up the innings. Jonty Jenner came in and reached a 17-ball half-century, finishing on 72 off 23 balls, with nine sixes and two fours. He and Zak Tribe added 113 runs for the fourth wicket in just 6.4 overs.
Zak Tribe went on to hit five sixes and 11 fours on his way to 150 off 129 balls. That score has been bettered only by his brother Asa, who made 175 in a win over Qatar last summer.
Papua New Guinea crumble before a late fightback
Carlyon struck in the first over of the reply, having Doko Rupa caught for a duck to leave Papua New Guinea on 3-1. Sese Bau and Lega Siaka then added 46 for the second wicket, but George Richardson removed Bau for 22, and his side were 48-2 from 10 overs.
Ward then took the key wickets. He dismissed Siaka for 39, followed by Patrick Nou for 14 and captain Assad Vala for four, reducing Papua New Guinea to 86-5 in 19.2 overs. He claimed two more to make it 101-8 in 24.2 overs.
Kabis Morea and Alei Nao offered stiff resistance for the ninth wicket, sharing a partnership of 64. Nao was bowled by Charles Perchard for 32, and Morea made 40 before being trapped lbw by Lawrenson. Papua New Guinea were all out for 175 from 36.5 overs.