Jersey aim for 2016 World Twenty20 global qualifier

Neil MacRae was appointed as Jersey coach in December 2013, having previously led Scotland and Austria

Jersey coach Neil MacRae has set his side the New Year goal of reaching the global qualifying rounds for the 2016 World Twenty20.

The island hosts the European Division One T20 tournament in May, with the winners gaining a place in global qualifying later in the summer.

The top six nations from that event will make it to the 2016 event.

"We're really targeting the T20 tournament in May to win that," MacRae told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We're just going to put all our cards on the table, work as hard as we can in pre-season and be ready to go in May."

Jersey will face Guernsey, Italy, Denmark, France and Norway on home soil between 8 and 14 May.

At stake will be a chance to join the top associate members of the International Cricket Council, which will take place from 9 July to 2 August in Scotland and Ireland.

Jersey have a good record on home soil, having won two of the four tournaments they have hosted and been runners-up in a third.

However, in the last two European T20 Division One events, they have been beaten by Italy in the semi-finals.

The island currently plays in Division Five of the World Cricket League after being relegated from Division Four in June.

"We're very fortunate that we've got good grounds, we've got players who understand the grounds very well, and we're well set up off the pitch as well to support a tournament in Jersey," Macrae added.

"It's certainly an advantage and it's something we're fortunate to have next year."