Brazil began their quadrangular tournament campaign in Zurich with an 87-run victory over Jersey.
Going into the match, Brazil had won both previous meetings between the two sides.
Jersey’s Chloe Greechan won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that she would regret as the game began.
Jersey came into the game with confidence after victories over Spain and Switzerland, but it was Brazil who made a strong start thanks to some impressive power hitting by their opening partnership of Lindsay Vilas Boas and Laura Agatha. They put on 68 without loss from the first six overs during the powerplay.
Whilst there was some poor fielding from Jersey, which did improve as the game went on, no one could seem to stop the Brazilian openers, who came out and punished any bowler who was brought into the attack.
Vilas Boas brought up 1,000 international runs with a four before hitting six, four, four in the same over, which not only brought up the milestone but also her half-century. The Brazilians gave very little away. That was until Boas pumped the ball up into the air to Trinity Smith, who couldn’t hold on to the catch. She was in prime position to take it, and the ball did hit her hands; however, she couldn’t cling on, giving Boas a huge lifeline.
The hundred partnership came up between Agatha and Boas, and it was not all guns blazing from Boas from the get-go. She often rotated the strike when she found herself under a bit of pressure. Brazil found themselves 118 for 0 at drinks in what was a fantastic display.
Jersey did make their breakthrough shortly after drinks, thanks to a wonderful run out from Amy Aikenhead, denying Agatha her half-century as she fell just short on 49.
This then sparked more magic from Boas, who brought up her first century in international cricket in style with four, four and a six as she completed her hundred from just 50 balls.
Boas would finally depart for 121 from 58 balls, with the catch taken by Smith, who had previously dropped her. If offered the chance again, she would have hoped to take the earlier catch as it would have cut short what was a fantastic exhibition of power hitting from the Brazilian.
Ana Sabino chipped in with a steady 14 runs, whilst it is also worth pointing out that Lindsay Cardoso put in a solid display to back up the rest of the batting with 33*.
The innings was pretty much summed up when Monnike Rufino came in for one ball after Ana Sabino was bowled trying to score quickly. Rufino capped off the innings with a six, as Brazil finished on 241 for three, setting things up nicely for the second innings.
Jersey had a big ask following the mammoth score set by Brazil, and it didn’t get off to the best of starts for them.
Maria McGahey Ribeiro, better known as Duda, started things off by bowling Wetherall with a fantastic delivery that clipped the top of the leg stump.
It was some steady bowling from Brazil, who capitalised on a Jersey side that looked deflated, not only from the mammoth score Brazil had put on, but also the effort they had put in while fielding on a hot day.
Laura Bittencourt grabbed the second wicket after Laura Cardoso took a comfortable catch. Brazil’s third wicket came just before the end of the powerplay as Annie Mossop chopped onto her own stumps for nine, giving Boas her first wicket of the day.
That left Jersey 38-3 at the end of the powerplay, requiring 14.7 runs per over to stand any chance of chasing down Brazil’s total.
Things got even worse by drinks, with Jersey 74/4 requiring 17 runs per over.
Trinity Smith and Analise Merritt tried to counter-attack, with Merrit making 57 before being bowled by Duda, while Smith, who was dropped on two occasions, scored 37.
Brazil captain Carolina Nascimento had a relatively quiet day, opting to bowl just one over. She did drop a catch but redeemed herself when Smith fired the ball up in the air, Nascimento tracked back well, backpedalling before taking the catch for Brazil’s sixth wicket.
Brazil’s pick of the bowlers was the one who had done all the damage with the bat, as Boas picked up 3/26, who was the clear player of the match.
Another part of Brazil’s game that was particularly impressive was their fielding. They were all sharp, knew their roles very well and made the game difficult for Jersey.
It was a great outing for Brazil, who used seven different bowlers and started off their European campaign on the front foot. They will end the tour with matches against Spain and Switzerland, where they are among the favourites to win the competition.
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