Zak Tribe hits 150 as Jersey secure World Cup qualifying progress

Jersey secured a place in the next stage of Cricket World Cup qualifying with a 172-run victory over Papua New Guinea in Nairobi, BBC Sport reported. Zak Tribe scored 150 and Ben Ward took five wickets as Jersey guaranteed a top-two finish in ICC Challenge League A, earning passage to December’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off in Nepal.

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The island side made 347-5, their highest total in a 50-over match, before dismissing Papua New Guinea for 175 in 36.5 overs. Tribe’s innings was his best for Jersey, while Jonty Jenner added 72 from only 23 deliveries. Those contributions helped turn an innings that stood at 58-2 into a record total and left Papua New Guinea facing a target of 348.

Jersey had lost Harrison Carlyon for 18 before Asa Tribe, returning to the team for the first time since last summer, was bowled by Aue Oru for 23. Asa’s brother Zak then joined Josh Lawrenson for a third-wicket partnership worth 165. Zak reached his century with a six from his 105th delivery, and Lawrenson contributed 72 from 95 balls before John Kariko bowled him.

Jenner’s arrival brought a sharp acceleration. He reached fifty in 17 balls and struck nine sixes and two fours during his stay, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 113 with Zak Tribe in just 6.4 overs. Tribe finished with 150 from 129 balls, including five sixes and 11 fours. According to the BBC, only Asa’s 175 against Qatar last summer ranks above that score for Jersey.

Papua New Guinea lost Doko Rupa without scoring in the opening over, with Carlyon taking the wicket. Ward then removed Lega Siaka for 39, Patrick Nou for 14 and captain Assad Vala for four as the chase fell to 86-5. Two further wickets for Ward helped leave Papua New Guinea at 101-8; he finished with figures of 5-49.

Kabis Morea and Alei Nao delayed the finish with a ninth-wicket partnership of 64. Charles Perchard bowled Nao for 32, before Lawrenson trapped Morea lbw for 40 to complete the win. The result confirmed Jersey’s progress to the qualifier play-off, rather than a place at the World Cup itself.