The two European qualifiers for next years men's T20 World Cup will be decided in the Netherlands this week, with play getting underway today at Voorburg.
The hosts were in action first up against Jersey with the visitors put into bat by Dutch captain Scott Edwards. Zak Tribe top scored for Jersey with 39, with Charlie Brennan's unbeaten 32 towards the end of their innings helping them post 160-7 from their 20 overs.
The Netherlands took almost their full quota of overs to chase down their target but that probably flattered Jersey a little. After Michael Levitt was bowled by Harrison Carlyon in the first over, Max O'Dowd and Zach Lion-Cachet added 101 for the second wicket before the latter was out for 50.
Max O'Dowd hits out against Jersey (KNCB)
O'Dowd and Scott Edwards added another 52 before O'Dowd was out for 62, whilst Edwards finished unbeaten on 41 from 24 balls to secure the seven wicket win.
The afternoon match saw Italy - with a strong squad looking to pull off a surprise run to the World Cup - take on the unfancied Guernsey side. Italy won the toss and asked their opponents to bat first, restricting them to 122-9 from their 20 overs. Harry Manenti was the pick of the bowlers with 3-17, whilst Tom Nightingale's 35 was the only score of note in the Guernsey innings.
Italy had little trouble chasing down their target with Justin Mosca hitting an unbeaten 66 from 37 balls to secure a seven wicket win with six overs to spare.
