Guernsey, Malaysia progress to Division Five

Guernsey turned in a disciplined performance to beat hosts Malaysia by five wickets at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur in the World Cricket League Division Six, ensuring their promotion to Division Five. Malaysia, second on the tournament's points-table after five games, also move up to Division Five. Apart from captain Suhan Alagaratnam, none of Malaysia's line-up could get going after they chose to bat, and they managed only 170 for 9 in their 50. Alagaratnam made a patient, unbeaten 68. The Guernsey bowlers shared the wickets around, but left-arm spinner Jeremy Frith was the pick, claiming 3 for 16 in his 10 overs. Four of Guernsey's top five batsmen then produced solid cameos - opener Lee Savident top-scored with 40 - to ensure the side got home without much drama and 26 balls in hand. The two teams will now meet in the finals of the tournament on September 24.

Guernsey's captain Stuart Le Prevost said the side had put in a fine all-round show in the tournament. "I think we've had a really good all-round week with both our batting and our bowling - Jeremy Frith has been great as usual, plus Lee Savident and Ben Ferbrache have also shown great stuff out in the field." Malaysia's Alagaratnam said the side needed to work on their batting. "We've played well this week but our batting has let us down in the last few games. Hopefully we can continue to improve and win promotion in February [during the Division Five tournament] too."

Kuwait eased to a five-wicket win against Nigeria at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur but were behind Malaysia on net run-rate, meaning they lost out on promotion. Kuwait's chase was propelled by a solid opening stand from Irfan Bhatti and Abid Mushtaq. Choosing to bat, Nigeria's total of 182 for 8 was built almost single-handedly through a 96-run partnership between Sean Philips and Olajide Bejide. Opening bowler Mohammed Naseer finished with the best figures for Kuwait - 3 for 20 with six maidens. Bhatti and Mushtaq then steered the chase, putting on 99 in 15 overs. While Bhatti was solid with 73 off 85, Mushtaq attacked, smacking 66 off 46 with ten fours and two sixes. A half-century partnership followed between Bhatti and Sibtain Raza, putting the game beyond Nigeria despite a flurry of late wickets.

Jersey beat Fiji by 28 runs at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur but it wasn't enough to take their net run-rate ahead of Malaysia's. Jersey put up 247 for 6 after being asked to bat, driven by half-centuries from captain Peter Gough and Samuel de la Haye. The pair came together at a wobbly 102 for 4 and put on a century partnership to carry Jersey to a competitive total. Fiji's top order all got starts, but none of them went on to play a long innings. The middle order failed to build on a steady platform, and Ben Stevens and Charles Perchard made inroads with three apiece to give their side a comfortable win.