Jonty Jenner takes Jersey to top of Group B with massive win

A collective batting performance spearheaded by an unbeaten fifty by Jonty Jenner set Jersey up for a comprehensive 69-run win over Nigeria in Abu Dhabi. The heavy margin of victory helped Jersey displace Ireland on the top of the table in Group B of the T20 World Cup qualifiers.

Having opted to bat, Jersey had contributions from all their batsmen, with everyone at least crossing double figures, starting with the openers Nick Ferraby and Harrison Carlyon, who made 20 each. However, it was the fourth-wicket stand between Jenner and Nick Greenwood that propelled Jersey to a score that would go unchallenged. The duo added 81 in 53 balls, before Greenwood was dismissed for a 28-ball 43 on the last ball of the 19th over. Jenner remained unbeaten on 57 off 42 balls and Jersey finished strong with Benjamin Ward making a five-ball 11 that included a six, as 14 were taken from the final over.

In response, Nigeria began positively with the openers Daniel Ajekun and Leke Oyede adding 28 in the first four before the enforcer Ajekun went for 17 off 10 on the first ball of the fifth, becoming left-arm spinner Elliot Miles' first victim. And it all went downhill from there. Four balls later, Miles struck again to send No. 3 Sesan Adedeji back for a duck. Oyede and Vincent Adewoye staged a brief recovery, adding 31 for the third wicket, but the required rate had touched 12 when Adewoye departed in the tenth over for 17. Oyede held the innings together but failed to keep abreast of the mounting required rate, finally falling for a painstaking 39 off 44 balls in the 17th over, with an improbable 89 still needed from 20 balls. Nigeria batted out their 20 overs but fell well short of their target, finishing on 115 for 7, and handing Jersey a massive win.