Jersey will not take Guernsey lightly in qualifier final

Jersey captain Charles Perchard says his side will not underestimate Guernsey in their T20 World Cup Qualifier final.

Jersey have beaten Guernsey in five of their last seven T20 meetings including a 22-run win in last year's 2026 T20 World Cup European Qualifier.

Jersey reached the final after topping their group in the tournament in Cyprus thanks to a record-breaking score of 280-3 in their 109-run win over Croatia.

The islanders also beat Switzerland, Cyprus and France to win all four of their pool games and qualifying for the final against Guernsey, who also won their group with four wins from four.

"Obviously there's so much riding on it," Perchard told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We've got a good record against Guernsey in recent years, but we certainly can't take them lightly.

"They're a very good side, they've got some top, top players, but fingers crossed our good form can continue and we can get a positive result."

Jersey came third in European qualifying last summer - missing out on a place at this year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka on net run rate to Italy.

The island side are the highest-ranked side in the tournament and beat Scotland last summer in their ultimately unsuccessful 2026 T20 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"We were unlucky to miss out last year, and that's obviously the goal for this squad and we really do believe that we can do that," Jersey batter Jonty Jenner told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We have to knock over Guernsey first on Saturday, and then another tournament next year, but we're getting closer, so that's the only way we can go really."

Jenner smashed 66 runs of just 23 balls in Jersey's win over Croatia and the islanders batting line-up runs deep.

Jenner says under the leadership of head coach Neil MacRae, who returned to the Jersey helm this year after two years away, the islanders have become braver with their batting.

Six players have hit half-centuries in their last two matches as Jersey have shown to be the side to beat in Cyprus.

"With Macca (MacRae) coming back as well I think one of the big things that he's instilled in a lot of the younger guys as well, is the ability for that power the whole way through the order," he said.

"I think we're just trying to get to grips with that.

"I think sometimes in the past, we maybe had to bat a little bit within ourselves to protect a few of the guys down the order.

"But we haven't seen much of Wardy (Ben Ward), haven't seen much of Tribey (Zak Tribe) this week, Jules (Julius Sumerauer) as well, obviously came off really nicely against Cyprus.

"We've got Charlie Brennan in there as well who's I know is clucking to have a go so it's really, really good signs and hopefully come Saturday it'll all come together and we can put on one more big performance."