Jersey and Scotland began their T20 World Cup qualification campaigns with big wins today in Edinburgh, against Austria and Germany respectively.

At the Grange in the morning session, Jersey won the toss in their first ever match against Austria and put their opponents into bat. No Austrian batters were able to make any sort of significant contribution with Jersey taking wickets regularly. Austria batted out their overs but were only able to score 104-9.

Jersey made short work of their target, chasing it down in just 9.2 overs to win by 8 wickets. Nick Greenwood top scored with an unbeaten 50 from only 27 balls. Jonty Jenner clubbed 29 from 12 deliveries including four sixes.

In the afternoon session over at Goldenacre, hosts Scotland were put into bat after German captain Venkatraman Ganesan won the toss. The German bowlers were put to the sword by a Scottish batting line-up perhaps taking out their frustrations at missing the World Cup out on their opponents today.

Several balls were hit right out of the ground and had to be replaced, with Ollie Hairs’ top score of 73 coming from 36 balls. Richie Berrington also scored quickly, smashing 60 from 31 deliveries. Michael Leask gave the German bowlers some serious punishment, hitting an unbeaten 38 from only 14 balls. Scotland’s total of 234-5 was their second highest ever in T20Is.

The rain that everyone expected to come finally came after 5.3 overs of the German reply with Germany on 33-1 and behind on DLS. It relented enough to reduce the German innings to 11 overs, but the DLS adjusted target of 138 proved to be way too much for Germany, who were kept to 65-7 and lost by 72 runs.

The big wins for Jersey and Scotland today – coupled with a narrow win for Ireland – could well prove to be crucial should rain continue to be a factor in the tournament and net run rate be required to decide qualification.

All four teams are back in action tomorrow, with winners Jersey and Scotland playing each other in the afternoon session at the Grange and Austria taking on Germany in the morning at Goldenacre.