Jersey's Under 19's will be hoping to impress to make it into the senior side

Jersey's best young cricketers face a tough test this week when the island hosts the ICC European Under 19 Division One Championships.

The six best non-test European teams will challenge for qualification for the Under 19 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The tournament is Jersey's first in the top division and head coach Craig Hogan believes his side deserves to be there.

He said: "We're aiming not to get intimidated by anybody and try to win each game no matter who we're playing."

An honourable loss is not okay, it's not the attitude, we'll scrounge and fight for every run and wicket Jersey coach Craig Hogan

Jersey face reining champions Scotland in their first match on Tuesday, before the Channel Island derby against their old foe Guernsey on Wednesday.

Hogan says anything less than a victory is unacceptable.

"An honourable loss is not okay, it's not the attitude, we'll scrounge and fight for every run and wicket," he explained.

Along with Jersey, Scotland and Guernsey, the other nations taking part are Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. A top two finish will secure a place in the World Cup global qualifier to take place in Canada in September.

If the boys do well individually in this championship then they are going to be putting themselves forward for the senior side Craig Hogan

Hogan sees the tournament as a vital component for the Jersey side as a whole.

He said: "It's the first time we've been in Europe Division One, so we're playing against the best in Europe. This is the best cricket our guys are going to get to play.

"Also, if the boys do well individually in this championship then they are going to be putting themselves forward for the senior side."

Both Jersey and Guernsey will be hoping to do well on 'home turf' and will be hoping to improve on their efforts in last year's ICC European U17 Championship in Belfast, where Guernsey finished equal third and Jersey a disappointing sixth.

Fixtures

14 July

Jersey v Scotland (Farmers)

Ireland v Netherlands (FB Fields)

Denmark v Guernsey (Grainville)

15 July

Netherlands v Scotland (Les Quennevais)

Denmark v Ireland (FB Fields)

Guernsey v Jersey (Grainville)

16 July

Denmark v Scotland (Les Quennevais)

Jersey v Netherlands (FB Fields)

Guernsey v Ireland (Farmers)

17 July: reserve day

18 July

Guernsey v Scotland (Victoria College)

Ireland v Jersey (Les Quennevais)

Denmark v Netherlands (Grainville)

19 July

Ireland v Scotland (Grainville)

Guernsey v Netherlands (Les Quennevais)

Denmark v Jersey (Victoria College)

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