Greenwood hits century as Jersey lose to UAE

A century from Nick Greenwood was not enough as Jersey lost the first of their two 50-over games to the United Arab Emirates at Grainville.

The seven-wicket loss came in the third of four matches being held in preparation for Jersey's final ICC Challenge League event due to take place in Qatar later in the year.

Jersey - who were twice beaten by Nepal earlier this month - made an impressive 315-5 after batting first as Greenwood hit 102.

But in reply Aryansh Sharma's 131 not out helped the UAE to 316-3 in 48 overs.

The two sides will face one another again on Wednesday in their final match.

Jersey's batters had one of their most impressive showings against a side that plays in the ICC's Cricket World Cup League Two.

Stand-in skipper Harrison Carlyon scored 37 while fellow opener Patrick Gouge made 30 before both went in quick succession to leave the islanders on 76-2.

But Greenwood and Zak Tribe made 72 for the third wicket before Tribe was bowled for 30 with Jersey on 148-3 off 29.2 overs.

Jonty Jenner joined Greenwood and the big hitting Jersey batter scored 50 off 40 balls, including two sixes, before being bowled as they moved the score onto 250-4.

Greenwood and Charlie Brennan (40 not out) added another 56 runs before the New Zealand-based first class player was caught for 102 off 92 balls that included four sixes and six fours.

In reply, the UAE kept pace with the run rate as Sharma carried his bat through the innings with his 133-ball knock of 131 that saw him hit 16 fours and a six.

He had a second wicket stand of 104 with Muhammad Shahdad (71) and a 115-run partnership with his replacement Rahul Chopra before the latter was caught off Greenwood's bowling for 50.

The Emiratis clinched the victory with two overs to spare as Sohaib Khan ended on 29 not out.