World Twenty20 Qualifier: Jersey coach wants tougher matches

Jersey had never played at such a high level before the World Twenty20 Qualifier began

Jersey's cricket coach says the island must increase the number of games they play against higher-standard opposition if they are to build on their World Twenty20 Qualifier campaign.

The Channel Island side finished sixth in their group after winning two of their matches in Ireland this month.

The tournament was the most high profile Jersey have ever competed in.

"We need to play regular games against sides of this standard to really move us forward," said Neil MacRae.

Jersey at the World Twenty20 Qualifier
Beat Hong Kong by nine wickets	Lost to USA by five wickets	Beat Nepal by seven wickets
Lost to Papua New Guinea by 24 runs	Lost to Namibia by nine wickets	Lost to Ireland by seven wickets

"We need a stronger fixture list. I think this tournament has shown that we can compete at associate level," MacRae added to BBC Radio Jersey.

Jersey registered wins over Hong Kong, who finished second in the group, and Nepal, as they missed out on the chance to play at next year's World Twenty20 in India.

"We're disappointed that we're not going to the World Cup - the challenge now is to move forward with this young group of players and go to the next World Cup," said MacRae.

"It's been an unbelievable experience for all of us.

"We've learned a huge amount, the players deserve huge credit for the way they've come through this. We've been tested a number of times, we've had some tough lessons to learn, but ultimately we've come back and played our best cricket at the end of the week and that's all we could ask.

"I'm incredibly proud, they've been a huge credit to Jersey."

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Group A
	Matches	Won	Lost	N/R	Points
Ireland	6	4	2	0	8
Hong Kong	6	3	2	1	7
Namibia	6	3	2	1	7
Papua New Guinea	6	3	2	1	7
United States	6	3	3	0	6
Jersey	6	2	4	0	4
Nepal	6	1	4	1	3