Jersey’s innings was built around a third-wicket partnership of 133 between brothers Asa and Zak Tribe, who recovered the innings after Kenya had removed both openers.
Harrison Carlyon made 50 from 43 balls and Josh Lawrenson scored 37 from 31, putting on 86 for the first wicket. But it was the Tribe brothers who took the game away from Kenya, with Asa making 72 from 86 deliveries and Zak adding 65 from 67.
Their partnership carried Jersey to 230-3 before Zak was caught, and although Kenya claimed wickets in the closing overs, the visitors finished with a total that proved high of a clif for the hosts.
Sachin Gill was Kenya’s most successful bowler, taking 3-54, while Francis Mutua claimed 2-60.
Kenya’s reply waggled early, with Subham Patel dismissed for four and Irfan Karim managing only 11 runs. Captain Dhiren Gondaria briefly raised hopes with an aggressive 55 from 41 balls, including six fours and three sixes, but his dismissal at 62-2 was followed by further setbacks.
Sachin Gill top-scored with 60 from 61 deliveries and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 61 with Sukhdeep Singh, who made 31. Their partnership offered some resistance, but Jersey continued to take wickets at crucial moments.
Ward had warned the hosts with his miraculous spin after claiming the crucial wicket of Rakep Patel before finishing the contest with a bow, claiming 5-28 from nine overs, including two maidens. He grasped four of Kenya’s final five wickets as the hosts lost their last five who added only 45 runs. Zak was also influential with the ball, taking 2-34.
Jersey’s title triumph is a significant milestone for the associate nation. With three matches still to play, they can turn their attention to preparing for the next stage of the World Cup qualification pathway, while Kenya must regroup and look to finish the campaign strongly.
