Jersey narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2026 men's T20 World Cup despite a last-ball win against Scotland, but will get a taste of the big stage when some of their players are in attendance at the Afghanistan vs Canada game at Chepauk on Thursday.
Opener Harrison Carlyon and Zak Tribe, the brother of SA20 sensation Asa Tribe, who were part of the thriller against Scotland in the T20 World Cup Europe Region final, will be among the group that will watch the game.
Zak, an aggressive top-order batter who can also bowl mystery spin like his brother, believes that the World Cup experience could inspire the players to actually be on that big stage in the near future. Jersey are currently on top of their 50-over ICC Challenge League pool with one round of matches to go later this year, knowing a top-two finish will take them to the next round of qualifying for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"I'm sure it [Afghanistan vs Canada] is going to be a great game," Zak told ESPNcricinfo in Chennai. "And we will be there to watch it. I'm sure a lot of our boys here will be wishing that they are the ones out there on the field. Every cricketer watching the World Cup wishes they can play at the level and have that hunger to go out there and do it.
"We beat Scotland [who replaced Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup as the next-highest-ranked team] and we're not far off. It would be a dream come true if I can represent my country along with Asa in a World Cup. If Asa represents England in a World Cup, that would be incredible too. It's always nice to do it with your family by your side."
With the winter sweeping through the Channel Islands, Jersey have travelled to Chennai to prepare for their Challenge League with a one-week training camp at the CSK academy. Apart from Zak and Carlyon, their women players Erin Gouge and Chloe Greechan are part of the camp too.
After playing a competitive game at the Guru Nanak College cricket ground on Thursday morning, Jersey's players will head to Chepauk in the evening to soak in some World Cup action.