Guernsey lose in warm-ups for World Cup qualifiers

Ben Fitchett was Guernsey's highest-scoring batter over the two matches

Guernsey heavily lost both of their final warm-up matches leading into their T20 World Cup qualifiers.

The islanders were beaten by 59 runs by hosts the Netherlands on Tuesday before a 56-run loss to Italy on Wednesday in Utrecht.

The games were part of Guernsey's last preparations before the final stage of European qualifying for next year's tournament in India and Sri Lanka begins on Saturday.

As well as the Dutch and Italians, Guernsey will also face Scotland and Channel Island rivals Jersey in the round robin event with the top two sides going through.

In the first warm-up game, hosts the Netherlands scored 164-6 off their 20 overs as opener Michael Levitt hit 70 off 46 balls before retiring while Scott Edwards got 40.

Teenage bowler Charlie Forshaw was the pick of the Guernsey attack as he took 3-26.

In reply, Guernsey could only make 105-9 from their 20 overs as opener Ben Fitchett and Zak Damarell each scored 20.

It was a similar tale against the Italians, who clocked up 169-6.

Openers Syed Naqvi and Joe Burns put on 60 for the first wicket before Naqvi was bowled by Martin-Dale Bradley for 36.

Burns went on to make 28 as he and Justin Mosca (31) compiled a second-wicket stand of 58. Harry Johnson took 3-35 for Guernsey.

In reply, Guernsey skipper Ollie Nightingale made 22 not out, Matt Stokes scored 21 and Fitchett 17 as Guernsey were restricted to 113-7 off their 20 overs.

The Sarnians begin their World Cup final qualifying stage campaign in The Hague on Saturday against Italy before taking on Scotland on Sunday.