Nigeria senior cricket national team lost to hosts Jersey in the ICC World Cricket League Division 6 top-of-the-table match-up at FB Field on Wednesday.
Nigeria lost by six wickets in the one-sided encounter that lasted only 62 overs (with 162 balls remaining).
After winning the coin toss, the Africans opted to bat first and an hour before lunch they had been bowled out for 96, by some distance the lowest total of the tournament.
Jersey’s Ben Stevens was in terrific form and had figures of 3 for 13 from his 10 overs, the most economical of the week. He was well supported by Charles Perchard who conceded just one run more in nine overs.
Saheed Akolade bowled out Stevens after lunch for 19 and also claimed the wicket of Andy Dewhurst in his final over, caught splendidly to his right, one-handed at backward point by Emmanuel Okwudili. It gave Akolade figures of 3 for 26 from his 10 overs and if he had had more consistent support at the other end, the result could have been even closer.
Nigeria let themselves down with the bat, but could get back on track by winning Bahrain tomorrow to set up Jersey again in Sunday’s final.
The victory means Jersey are the only unbeaten team after three rounds of matches with two to go. The hosts top the table on six points followed by Nigeria on four.
Nigeria’s remaining two rounds of the five round-robin games will be against Bahrain (Thursday) and Argentina (Saturday).
Summary:
Jersey (2) beat Nigeria (0) by 6 wickets. FB Fields, 24 July.
Nigeria 96 (40.1 overs, Ricky Sharma 53, Nen Stevens 3-13).
Jersey 100-4 (22.1 overs, E. Farley 41ËŸ, S. Akolade 3-26).
