Jersey bounce back from Germany loss with win over Turkey in ICC Women's World Cup qualifier

Charlie Miles batting against Turkey

JERSEY bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Germany with a clinical display against Turkey to still leave them in contention for a top-two spot in the European Division Two qualifiers for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Bowling first having won the toss, head coach Lee Meloy would have been looking for a reaction from his squad and captain Chloe Greechan provided the early breakthrough having Turkey opener Galhutan Keles stumped after some sharp work behind the stumps from Mia Maguire.

Analise Merritt removed the other opener, Goksu Ayan, to leave Turkey 9-2 as the Lionesses sensed an opportunity to skittle a team that had recorded scores of just 51 and 57 in their previous two games.

The Islanders dropped three chances in the next couple of overs, but the Turkey batters failed to capitalise on those opportunities with wickets falling regularly throughout.

Three quick wickets saw Turkey fall from 25-2 to 27-5 with Erin Duffy, Flo Copley and Erin Gouge getting among the wickets.

The final-wicket partnership managed to show some resilience and sneak Turkey past 50, but Jersey were eventually able to wrap up the innings as they were set 53 for the win. Gouge and Greechan were the pick of the bowlers finishing with figures of 3-6 and 2-6 respectively. Grace Wetherall – who started bowling only six months ago after suffering a knee injury which stopped her from keeping wicket – was unlucky not to pick up a wicket with her three overs going for the loss of just three runs.

In response, Jersey’s openers went about the chase with strong intent. Charlie Miles making a quickfire 23 before falling LBW to Ayan – who in doing so took Turkey’s first wicket in international women’s cricket.

Maria Da Rocha and Wetherall – promoted up the order following her exploits with the bat against Germany – saw Jersey home to a nine-wicket win in just six overs.

Speaking after the Turkey win, Meloy said: ‘I was really proud of the way the girls fought back from a difficult position [against Germany]. For Analise and Grace to put on a partnership like that was absolutely brilliant to watch and the sign off a young team that wasn’t prepared to give up.

‘If we had taken a couple of wickets, who knows. We took the game deep and gave ourselves a chance but it wasn’t to be there.

‘To follow that with a really clinical performance is great – we took early wickets and stayed on top the whole way through and we know we’re two wins away from promotion.

‘We’re all excited about what is to come. The focus is on that and getting themselves and their bodies ready for those challenges.’

Germany are the only team with a 100% record with two wins from two. Jersey and Italy have two wins from three matches so far.

Jersey are due to have a rest day today, before facing France on Thursday at FB Fields and finishing against Sweden the following morning.

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