World Cricket League Five: Jersey beat hosts Malaysia in final

Nat Watkins hit a century as Jersey claimed the World Cricket League Five title with a 71-run victory over hosts Malaysia in the final.

The island side posted a total of 247-8 after winning the toss at the Kinrara Oval, with opener Watkins hitting 116.

Ben Stevens weighed in with 84 and later took 3-42 as Malaysia slumped to 176 all out after starting well with Shafiq Sharif's 62 off 77 balls.

Both teams had already earned promotion to Division Four by reaching the final.

Jersey had won all five of their matches at the round-robin stage, and another convincing performance preserved their 100% record.

Watkins, who hit two sixes and 13 fours in his 138-ball knock, shared a second-wicket stand of 151 with all-rounder Stevens to give the Channel Islanders a solid platform, but teenager Jonty Jenner (15) was the only other player to make double figures.

Sharif batted aggressively at the start of Malaysia's reply, but once he had fallen lbw to Corne Bodenstein, they were unable to keep up with the required rate, typified by 36 off 74 balls by Ahmed Faiz, who was eventually caught off Anthony Hawkins-Kay.

The promotion is Jersey's second in a row after becoming Division Six champions on home turf last summer.

Both they and Malaysia will now go on to compete in Division Four in June, against hosts Singapore, Oman, Italy and Denmark.

"The team performance was stunning," said Stevens, who was named player of the tournament.

"Everybody was playing for pride and we wanted to win the tournament. After six games, I'm proud of everything that we've done.

"Momentum is huge in cricket and we want to continue our good form in Singapore and they believe they can win that itself."