Sensational Steven Taylor rips Jersey apart

Steven Taylor became the first T20I centurion for USA enroute his marathon effort of 101* off 55 balls laden with 5 sixes and 12 fours. USA broke little sweat in surmounting Jersey's challenge of 155 on a batting-conducive wicket after Asa Tribe's sensational counter attacking 73* gave Jersey a momentary sniff to comeback in the game. USA cantered home with 11 balls to spare, spiking their NRR which may well dictate the playoff spots in this T20 World Cup Qualifier.

Rusty Theron and Nisarg Patel strikes thwart Jersey

Jersey openers Harrison Carlyon and Nick Greenwood failed to wrestle the early initiative after being put into bat by USA. Some tight lengths from USA pacers had the openers in the dock with only 14 coming off the first four overs. The pair looked to up the ante with a couple of boundaries off Saurabh Netravalkar in the penultimate over of the powerplay. However, Rusty Theron dented the slight shift in momentum by snaring Carlyon in the next over.

Tribe tried to settle Jersey's nerves as he swatted Aaron Jones over the deep midwicket fence for his first six. Four balls later Greenwood departed thanks to an mix up which had both the batters convening at the keeper's end. Nisarg Patel pinned a desperate Jonty Jenner in front as the foiled reverse sweep attempt had Jersey on the ropes at 47 for 3 in the 10th over.

Tribe turns the tide for Jersey

19-year-old Tribe showed tremendous game sense and audacity that belied his age. On a rampage, he targeted the cow corner, dispatching Netravalkar for two monstrous blows after launching one off Taylor. Nisarg had Ben Stevens stumped, foxing him as he ran down the wicket with an almighty swing. Chipping away at 3 runs an over off his first three overs, Jersey had little answers for Nisarg's wily left arm spin, before Tribe imperiously lofted him for a couple of sixes off his 4th over to sabotage his spell. Benjamin Ward took heavy toll off penultimate over, hammering three sixes as a helpless USA called up Marty Kain to complete the over after Ali Khan trudged off the field two balls into his over owing to a hand injury. Tribe and Ward stitched a breathtaking partnership of 75 in 33 balls to propel Jersey to a fighting total of 154.

Feisty Taylor takes centerstage

Taylor feasted on the left arm spin of Elliot Miles after Jersey curiously introduced him with the new ball. He oozed class from the moment he struck his first boundary, elegantly lofting over mid off's head, following it up with a straight six off the next ball. Monank Patel tried to play second fiddle as Taylor showed signs of his murderous best, wrapping up the powerplay with another six off Carlyon, belting it over long leg.

Blampied ended a rather unusual innings of 15 off 20 balls from Monank, holing out to long on trying to force the issue. Aaron Jones and Taylor stayed on course with the asking rate right throughout their match winning stand of 88 runs in 9 overs. Taylor pierced the offside field with lucid ease time and over after the power play, collecting a boundary almost every over between the seventh and eleventh overs.

Taylor refused to take the foot off the gas as he teared into the wrist spin of Ward, bludgeoning a six to the sight screen, a cheeky boundary behind the keeper and a glide towards point. Jones and Taylor plundered 15 more runs off the next over to almost seal the game in USA's favor after the heavy onslaught, with 28 needed off the final 5. Jones departure after a breezy 38 did not deter Taylor to motor his way ahead in chase of an elusive T20I hundred, ending the proceedings with a thumping six over long on to notch up a memorable century.