Jersey finish bottom of European Cricket Championship group

Jersey’s cricket team’s hopes of returning to the final stages of the European Cricket Championship have been ended.

An island side made up largely of young players finished bottom of their rain-affected group in Spain after three losses and a no result in their four matches.

Just two players from the side which topped ICC Challenge League in Kenya earlier this month – seamer Dan Birrell and debutant batter Stan Norman – remained.

Jersey had made the final round of matches at the 10 overs-a-side event a year ago.

Their opening game with Norway fell victim to the weather as Jersey lost by nine runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

Having restricted Norway to 128-5 Jersey were 44-3 off 4.4 overs when the match was abandoned due to rain.

Italy beat Jersey by 22 runs in their second match as they failed to chase down 167-3 despite Norman hitting an impressive 82 off just 34 balls including seven sixes.

Jersey’s third game with Sweden was abandoned due to rain before a Netherlands XI beat the Channel Island side by five wickets.

Beau Gurner’s 46 not out off 19 balls helped Jersey make 119-7 off their 10 overs – a target the Dutch side chased down with three overs to spare.