JERSEY’S cricketers returned from Spain defeated, but with valuable lessons to take forward.
It was a point long-standing captain Chuggy Perchard was keen to emphasise, and, although the results did not go the Islanders way, there were plenty of early season positives.
“It was a very positive weekend for us, regardless of the scorelines,” he said.
“It was a shame not to get over the line, as I think we were definitely in good positions in both matches.
“But the Spanish are a very experienced unit, especially at home and on a mat wicket.”
Jersey’s 13-strong squad travelled to La Manga last weekend, for a friendly T20 on Saturday, followed by two full T20I ranked fixtures the following day.
The young Caesareans got off to an excellent start in the first T20I.
Batting first, the new-look opening pair of St Ouen-Springfield teammates Harrison Carlyon and Patrick Gouge smashed 89 runs off the first nine overs before the former was dismissed after a rapid 48 off 29 balls.
Contributions came from all of the top five, with Gouge’s 52 off 38 balls the highlight in a total of 195-5 from their 20 overs.
“It was the perfect start really,” Perchard continued.
“Patrick [Gouge] and Harrison [Carlyon] got us off to a flyer and looked in ominous touch.
“But it was good to see all the top order contribute and look in decent touch early in the season.”
The Spanish openers replied, scoring 70 before Julius Sumerauer broke the deadlock, European Cricket League star Muhammad Babar caught smartly by Charlie Brennan on 46.
However, a man-of-the-match performance by wicketkeeper Muhammad Ihsan saw him mark up 41 not out from just 19 balls to steer the home side over the line with just two balls remaining.
Dan Birrell proved the pick of the Jersey bowlers, with one wicket for just 22 runs coming from four overs.
Game two was a lower scoring affair, with Jersey again batting first and this time posting 141 all out. Gouge starred again for the boys in red, with 48 off just 27 balls before he was dismissed by Muhammah Atif. Jonty Jenner added 38, but there was little else to write home about from a batting standpoint, Carlyon’s 19 was the only other score in double figures.
Sumerauer was the man again to break through the Spanish attack early, dismissing Babar for just 15, caught behind well by 16-year-old debutant Jack Kemp. But a sixth-wicket partnership of 57, which again included Ihsan, took the game away from Jersey.
The skipper said: “The second game was tough, as I think we were winning that one for at least 75% of it.
“We felt we were controlling the run rate well, but those last ten overs just got away from us a bit.”
Spain reached their target off the penultimate ball of the match to win the series 2-0. But excellent spells from leg spinner Zak Tribe and the seam bowling of Will Perchard were promising for the experienced captain, with five wickets also being shared between fast-bowling duo Birrell and Sumerauer.
“Tribey[Zak] has been working really hard on his leggys, especially in Australia over the winter. They were coming out really nicely and I’m hoping will prove another great option for us moving forwards.
“Will [Perchard] bowled an excellent spell as well. It’s never easy bowling seam on those wickets but he controlled his length really professionally.
“And Jack Kemp too, making his T20I debut, he was very good behind the stumps. He’s still a young lad but he’s got bags of potential and it was nice to see him have some success with the gloves.”
This trip was the first opportunity to get off Island with new coaching duo Paul Hutchison and assistant coach, former Yorkshire and Glamorgan batter, Matthew Wood.
“It was great to get to spend some more time with Hutch and Woody,” Perchard concluded.
“They’re both so experienced and have a great ethos on the game.
“It was a good taste of seeing what trips away with them will be like moving forwards and we were all very happy with their work with us. I’m looking forward to the future of our partnership with this group heading into a massive summer of competitive cricket.”
Jersey: Chuggy Perchard (c), Dan Birrell, Dom Blampied, Charlie Brennan, Toby Britton, Harrison Carlyon, Patrick Gouge, Jonty Jenner, Jack Kemp, Will Perchard, George Richardson, Julius Sumerauer, Zak Tribe. Coaches: Paul Hutchison & Matthew Wood
