Jersey Cricket Vows to Qualify for 2028 T20 World Cup After Scotland Selection Snub

Jersey Cricket has responded with renewed determination after Scotland were selected to replace Bangladesh at the upcoming T20 World Cup, despite Jersey finishing ahead of the Scots in European qualifying last summer.

The Selection Controversy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chose Scotland to fill the void left by Bangladesh's withdrawal from the tournament, selecting them as the highest-ranked side in the ICC T20 world rankings not to have qualified directly.

However, this decision has raised eyebrows given Jersey's superior performance in the final round of European qualifying held in the Netherlands in July 2024. The Channel Island side finished third in the qualifier, winning two of their four matches—including a memorable one-wicket victory over Scotland—while the Scots managed just a single win.

Jersey's Qualifying Heartbreak

Jersey's path to the 2026 T20 World Cup was agonizingly close. The islanders were denied direct qualification only by virtue of a lower net run rate than Italy, who claimed the second qualifying spot behind the Netherlands. The Dutch themselves only secured victory over Jersey with just three balls remaining in their encounter.

Leadership Response: Channeling Disappointment into Determination

Sarah Gomersall, Chief Executive of the Jersey Cricket Board, has addressed the emotional impact on players while emphasizing the positive response from the squad.

"It gives the players that I've spoken to that resolve to qualify in our own right. If we're not going to get there this way then we will just go there in our own right, we'll be best prepared because we'll have a decent run into it and we will show the world what we can do."

Gomersall acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding the situation:

"It's important to recognise the feelings and emotions that the players will be going through. Back in July when we played the qualifier we did amazingly well, we finished third, we missed out on direct qualification by net run rate."

The Road to 2028: Cyprus and Beyond

Jersey's journey toward the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand begins in May with Qualifier A of the European sub-regional tournament in Cyprus. Victory in the 10-team event would secure a place in the final round of European qualifying in 2027.

Star Power: Asa Tribe's Rising Profile

Jersey boasts genuine star quality in their ranks with Glamorgan's Asa Tribe, who is being tipped as a potential future England player having been resident in the country for three years. His presence adds significant depth to Jersey's World Cup aspirations.

Transformational Stakes for Island Cricket

Beyond sporting glory, World Cup qualification would bring unprecedented financial benefits to Jersey cricket. Gomersall emphasized the broader impact:

"The funding that comes from participating in the World Cup would genuinely be transformational. Not only just for cricket in Jersey, but seeing people from the island on TV would be awesome and inspirational and genuinely create a legacy for everybody on the island."

She added:

"That would be a very, very welcome by-product of going to the World Cup. But right now we just need to make sure that we set ourselves up in the best possible way to get there next time around."

Background: Bangladesh's Withdrawal

Bangladesh's removal from the tournament followed their request to have matches scheduled in India relocated to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns amid growing tensions between the two nations. The ICC refused the request, leading to Bangladesh's boycott of the event, which begins on 7 February.

Looking Ahead

Jersey's response to this setback demonstrates the resilience and ambition of associate cricket nations. With a clear pathway to the 2028 tournament, quality players like Asa Tribe in their squad, and a leadership group focused on proper preparation, Jersey are positioning themselves to earn their World Cup place through performance rather than selection.

The next chapter of Jersey cricket begins in Cyprus this May, where the island side will look to take the first step on their journey to Australia and New Zealand in 2028.