Jersey Ladies are European Cricket Champions!

JERSEY’S national women’s cricket team secured a famous win over Germany Women by 15 runs to claim the first ECC-W Challenger title at the Cartama Oval in Malaga, Spain.

Captain Chloe Greechan led magnificently from the front all week in a tournament that saw them remain unbeaten throughout and the deserved eventual winners. Thankfully, the weather gods looked kindly on Jersey for the final, after consecutive days affected by rain.

Qualifying at the top of the group gave Jersey an automatic spot in the final and, after the qualifier and eliminator rounds of the remaining teams, it was Germany who would join them in the big dance.

Throughout the tournament, Greechan and her side had been comfortable as the side chasing.

However, on this occasion, it was the girls in red walking out to bat first. The skipper said: “We were sent into bat for the first time this tournament.

“As a unit, we spoke about playing with freedom and not having the pressure of chasing a score in the final.

“Aimee [Aikenhead] was the difference for us today, she was excellent and really took the game to Germany.”

Jersey’s opening partnership had been crucial to their success all tournament. However, that opening combination was disturbed earlier than anticipated, as the powerful Analise Merritt was caught for just two at the start of the second over.

But it was her opening partner Aikenhead who proved the difference between the two sides, smashing a brutal 33 with six boundaries and contributing near enough half the team’s score.

Wickets fell steadily throughout, with no other batter reaching double figures. Grace Wetherall smashed a mighty six before being removed for eight, with Greechan herself finding the boundary at the back end to see her side reach 70-6 from their 10 overs.

The captain continued: “With only 70 on the board, we knew how crucial the bowling and fielding would be to restrict Germany in 60 balls.

“It was our best fielding and bowling performance of the tournament, we were ruthless and took the game away from Germany.

“I am so proud of this group of girls, they have been brilliant all week. We dug deep when we were under pressure and always found a way to win.”

The German’s reply got off to a steady start, both sides showing signs of nerves as the heat of the situation intensified with every ball.

It was the battle of the captains early, with Greechan bowling to German skipper Janet Ronalds.

With her penultimate ball of the tournament, Greechan had the last laugh, trapping Ronalds plumb lbw for five, and opening the floodgates for her team.

Regular wickets continued to fall, as Flo Tanguy picked up other opener Christina Gough lbw again for nine just two balls later.

All five bowlers used claimed a wicket. Grace Wetherall shattered the stumps of Rameesha Shahid, Erin Duffy had Ameya Kanukuntla caught by Merritt for a duck, and Merritt herself claimed two wickets.

Despite a moment of comedy by Merritt with an utterly wild throw for an attempted run out off the last ball of the game, Jersey secured their status as European T10 Champions by 15 runs.

Women’s head coach, Darren Thomas was full of praise for his squad.

“The girls have been a credit to the Island this past week, they have played the format with cricketing intelligence and delivered the necessary skills when required.

“Part of the progression process, especially for a young squad like ours, is to play under the media spotlight and they handled the pressures of that magnificently well.

“The T10 format challenges in different ways and the girls have learned so much about their game during the six undefeated matches, which we can say proudly is the first time that has been achieved in an ECN tournament.

“They are all so excited at the prospect of coming back home as European T10 challenge league champions.”

Next up for this squad is two T20 International fixtures against Gibraltar, where they are currently travelling to.

But they travel with their heads held high, confidence soaring and silverware in hand.

Jersey Women’s squad: Chloe Greechan (c), Erin Gouge, Lily Grieg, Erin Duffy, Olivia Bastin, Analise Merritt, Grace Wetherall, Aimee Aikenhead, Mia Maguire (wk), Trinity Smith, Georgia Mallett, Florence Tanguy