A BRADFORD Premier League ground played host to surely two of its most unlikely fixtures ever last week.

New Farnley’s Barry Jackson Ground was the venue for two international fixtures between Zimbabwe ‘A’ and Jersey.

The first game took place last Thursday, and proved to be an absorbing 50-over contest.

Zimbabwe batted first and stumbled to 75-5, but a brilliant 108 from Brian Bennett allowed them to post 262.

Despite the efforts of Zac Tribe (58), Dominic Blampied (54) and Jake Dunford (41) in the reply, Jersey were bowled out for 238.

Tinashe Muchawaya was the bowling hero for Zimbabwe, taking 4-30 to ensure his side won by 24 runs.

Muchawaya took four wickets the following day too, claiming 4-33 as Jersey were bowled out for 213.

But even he played second fiddle to the excellent Ngani Dube, who caused all sorts of problems in claiming 4-14.

Jersey’s innings would have been a disaster without the brilliant lone hand of Tribe, who scored 90 from 100 balls.

But Zimbabwe had no trouble chasing the Jersey total down, winning by seven wickets in 29 overs.

Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani led the way with 82, while Dion Myer complemented him nicely with 44.

Jersey’s head coach is former Yorkshire player Paul Hutchison, who also played Bradford League cricket for New Farnley, East Bierley and Pudsey St Lawrence during his career.

One of Hutchison’s goals is to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup and wins over Serbia, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway have put Jersey in a good position to do so.

They have joined Italy, Scotland and the Netherlands in the final qualification stage for the World Cup, with one more team set to join them.

That five-team Europe Qualifier will take place in 2025, with the following year’s World Cup being held in India and Sri Lanka.

In another Bradford Premier League link, Jersey’s chief executive officer is Sarah Gomersall, daughter of former league umpire and Woodlands stalwart Jim.