Zak Tribe scored a career-best 150 as Jersey posted their highest-ever total in a 50-over game, 347-5, and went on to thrash Papua New Guinea by 172 runs in Nairobi. The result guarantees Jersey a top-two finish in ICC Challenge League A and a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off in Nepal in December.
Zak Tribe’s 150 was the biggest individual total of his career for Jersey. Only his brother, Asa, has scored more for the island, with 175 against Qatar last summer.
Jersey build a huge total
Jersey lost opener Harrison Carlyon for 18 off 19 balls after four overs. Asa Tribe, the Glamorgan and England Lions player, returned to the side after missing the island team since last summer, but his return was difficult. He and Josh Lawrenson added just 12 runs in the first six overs of their partnership before Asa was bowled by Aue Oru for 23 off 29 balls in the 13th over, leaving Jersey on 58-2.
Zak Tribe came in and combined with Lawrenson to build a disciplined third-wicket stand. Zak reached his half-century off 58 balls, while Lawrenson made 50 off 74 balls. Zak brought up his century with a huge six off his 105th ball. The pair put on a match-defining 165 runs before John Kariko bowled Lawrenson for 72 off 95 balls.
Jonty Jenner then removed any restraint from Jersey’s innings. He reached a 17-ball half-century and finished on 72 off just 23 balls, hitting nine sixes and two fours. Jenner and Zak Tribe added 113 runs for the fourth wicket in only 6.4 overs. Zak went on to hit five sixes and 11 fours, finishing unbeaten on 150 off 129 balls.
Ben Ward spearheads the win
Papua New Guinea started poorly in reply. Carlyon struck in the first over, dismissing Doko Rupa for a duck and leaving the side on 3-1. Sese Bau and Lega Siaka then put on 46 for the second wicket, but George Richardson bowled Bau for 22 to push Jersey on, and PNG were 48-2 from 10 overs.
Ben Ward then took control with the ball. He dismissed Siaka for 39, followed by Patrick Nou for 14 and captain Assad Vala for four, reducing Papua New Guinea to 86-5 in 19.2 overs. Ward claimed two more wickets to make it 101-8 in 24.2 overs.
Kabis Morea and Alei Nao offered some resistance for the ninth wicket, adding 64 runs. Charles Perchard ended that stand by bowling Nao for 32. Morea made 40 before Lawrenson trapped him lbw, and Papua New Guinea were bowled out for 175 in 36.5 overs. Ward finished with 5-49 as Jersey secured a 172-run victory.