Ireland Under-19s, meanwhile, started their campaign to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals with an impressive 113 runs victory over Jersey in the Netherlands yesterday.

William Smale, the Englishman with the Irish passport, was the top scorer with 66, but it was Instonians all-rounder James Hunter, coming in at No.8, and JJ Garth who propelled Ireland to a total of 219-9 with late runs.

When Smale was out, Ireland were 148-6 with 17 overs left, but the seventh wicket pair added 59 to leave them in a comfortable position at halfway.

The player of the match, however, was 15-year-old slow left armer Jamie Forbes, who took 5-19 in just seven overs, and with Alex Neary, a late call-up to the squad, making two early breakthroughs with the new ball, Jersey never threatened an upset, bowled out in the 35th over.

Ireland are back in action today against Denmark and, after a rest day on Sunday, they have back-to-back games against the Netherlands and a key clash with Scotland on Tuesday.