Jersey recover to seal convincing win over Kenya

Jersey are two points clear of Papua New Guinea at the top of the Challenge League A after winning their fifth group match against Kenya

Jersey survived an early wobble before easing to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kenya to maintain their strong start to their ICC Challenge League campaign.

After bundling Kenya out for 115 with nearly 14 overs to spare in St Martin, the hosts then slumped to 16-3 before an unbeaten century stand between Jonty Jenner (56) and Zak Tribe (45) helped the island side cruise home with just over 26 overs remaining.

Jersey's fifth win in six keeps them top of the League A table, and in good shape for potential qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

They next face Kuwait on Saturday, 23 August before playing Denmark on 25 August, Papua New Guinea on 28 August, and finishing against Qatar on 31 August.

Ahead of the game, Jersey director of cricket Paul Hutchinson said three wins from their remaining five group games would do wonders for their World Cup chances, and he would have been delighted with the way his bowlers never let Kenya get going.

Captain Charles Perchard struck with his third ball, removing opposite number Dhiren Gondaria for 12, and when he caught and bowled Pushkar Sharma (15), Kenya were 40-3.

Sachin Bhudia (30) and Rakep Patel (34) put on 44 but when they perished to spinners Josh Lawrenson (4-25) and Nick Greenwood (3-20) respectively, the visitors innings fell away as they lost their last five wickets for 25 runs.

Jersey's hopes of a fast start to their modest target were hit by the loss of Greenwood for a duck to the third legitimate ball of their innings.

The jitters increased with the swift departures of Josh Lawrenson and Harrison Carlyon as Nelson Odhiambo (3-18) threatened to bring Kenya right back into the contest.

But Jenner and Tribe responded superbly to steady any nerves with a fourth-wicket stand of 100 in a little over 17 overs.

Jenner hit 24 from his last 10 balls, bringing up his half-century off 49 deliveries in the process, to seal what was ultimately a convincing win.