Kirsten (r) thought Matt Hague (l) was the only good performer in the top five

Peter Kirsten has told BBC Radio Jersey that he is not resigning as island cricket coach.

The former South Africa international sat away from his team after barracking them for their poor batting performance in Tuesday's loss to Italy.

There had been rumours of friction between Kirsten and his players.

"I'm very happy in the job," the 53-year-old said. "The only regret I really have is that I have not been able to motivate them enough."

He continued: "[I am] tremendously frustrated that the top five, apart from Matt Hague, have not performed.

"I'm really happy to continue in this role, if Jersey Cricket want me, but as always that will be decided at the end of the tournament."

Perhaps I am even expecting too much from the players, we have to remember how far they have come in a very short period of time Jersey coach Peter Kirsten

Jersey are now almost certain to be relegated from World Cricket League Division Four after their defeat by Italy and Kirsten said that perhaps the tournament was a step too far for his players.

"Perhaps I am even expecting too much from the players, we have to remember how far they have come in a very short period of time, and how many good tournaments they've had and played really well."

Kirsten guided Jersey to second place in World Cricket League Division Five in May and to victory in the European Second Division in August.

Kirsten played in 12 Tests and 40 one-day games for his native South Africa between 1991 and 1994. His international career was cut short by the ban on South Africa playing internationally die to the apartheid regime.