Jersey lose to Dutch in opening World Cup qualifier

Jersey pushed Netherlands close as they aim for their first-ever World Cup

ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, Voorburg Cricket Club, The Hague

Jersey 160-7 (20): Z Tribe 39, Brennan 32; Klein 3-42

Netherlands 161-3 (19.3): O'Dowd 62, Lion-Cachet 50; Perchard 2-26

Netherlands win by seven wickets

Match scorecard

Jersey began their 2026 T20 World Cup European qualifying campaign with a battling seven-wicket loss to hosts Netherlands in The Hague.

Batting first, the islanders recovered from 16-2 and 49-4 to compile a competitive total of 160-7 as Zak Tribe hit 39.

But, in reply, the Dutch edged above the required run rate in the final two overs of their innings and made 161-3 with three balls to spare thanks to Max O'Dowd's 62.

The game was Jersey's first in the qualifying tournament - they face Italy on Sunday before then meeting Guernsey and Scotland in the round robin format tournament.

The top two sides in the five-team group will qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Harrison Carlyon's early wicket gave Jersey hope of one of their biggest-ever T20 wins

Batting first, Jersey lost openers Harrison Carlyon (11) and Glamorgan's Asa Tribe (4) inside the first two and a half overs as the higher-ranked hosts looked like they would cruise to victory.

But Tribe's brother Zak steadied the innings with a 33-ball 39 that included a six and four fours while Jonty Jenner hit a 13-ball 27.

Charlie Brennan (32 not out) and Ben Ward (18) had a key 37-run stand for the seventh wicket before the latter was caught by Noah Croes off Kyle Klein - one of the Dutch bowler's three wickets for 42 runs.

In reply, Carlyon made an early breakthrough as he bowled opener Michael Levitt for one off the fourth ball of the innings.

But O'Dowd and Zach Lion-Cachet put on a crucial 101-run second-wicket stand that lasted almost 13 overs before the latter was caught for 50 off Jersey skipper Charles Perchard's bowling.

Nonetheless, the hosts never got away from Jersey - who are ranked 12 positions below the 15th-placed Netherlands.

O'Dowd went on to make 62 off 48 balls before he was caught on the boundary going for a six to win the game with the final ball of the 19th over.

However, Scott Edwards guided the Dutch home with 41 not out off 24 balls as they won with three deliveries to spare.