Guernsey see off Denmark to claim spot at Europe T20 World Cup Qualifying Regional Final
Hosts Guernsey claim Sub-Regional Qualifier C honours to move to regional final on the road to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
By Daniel Beswick
Guernsey will join Scotland, Netherlands, Italy and Channel Island rivals Jersey in the running for two T20 World Cup 2026 spots after claiming Sub-Regional C honours on home soil on Wednesday.
In front of a vocal home crowd at the King George V Sports Ground in Castel, Ollie Nightingale's side saw off a strong Danish challenge in the tournament final, chasing a target of 159 in 18.4 overs.
Nightingale watched on from the non-striker's end as partner Matthew Stokes clipped away the winning run, capping off his decisive 67* (44), having done most of the damage alongside Josh Butler, who made 43 (29) at the top of the order.
Denmark v Guernsey | Match Highlights | Men's T20WC Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier C
Earlier, Nicolaj Damgaard Laegsgaard threatened to spoil Guernsey's party, hitting six sixes in a knock of 62 from just 35 balls to help the Danes towards their total of 158. Crucially, the hosts stubbed out the Dane's danger with the bat late on, as the left-hander holed out in the deep off the bowling of off-spiner Martin Bradley (2/35). Luke Bichard's death bowling (1/17 off four overs) alongside Charlie Forshaw's work (2/35 off four overs) ensured the Danes were kept to under eight an over.
In reply, Butler struck four fours and two sixes opening the batting, putting on 65 in 6.5 overs alongside Stokes, who brought up his half-century with a slog sweep into a group of jubilant onlookers in the 14th over. The aggressor was joined by his skipper to close out victory, securing their spot at next year's regional final.
Two qualifiers will be decided in the regional final, with Guernsey set to face Italy and Jersey (fellow Sub-Regional Qualifier winners) as well as Scotland and The Netherlands, who both moved straight to regional qualifying after competing at T20 World Cup 2024.