On an entertaining first day of the 2nd ICC Americas Women’s Championship in Florida, USA, it was Argentina who provided the highlights, first with a gutsy performance against defending champions Canada, then overwhelming Bermuda in stunning fashion by 8 wickets.

The first part of the tournament consists of a T20 competition, and besides from the Argentina performances, the other major highlight was perhaps the debut of the spirited Brazilian team.

But it was Argentina who definitely grabbed the headlines. In their morning match against Canada, Argentina were asked to bat first, and compiled a respectable 76 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opening bat Dirce Yuli top-scored with 23, while captain Catalina Greloni weighed in with 17 not out. Pick of the Canadian bowlers was captain and all-rounder Joana White, who took 2 for 9 in 4 overs.

Canada eventually reached the target of 77 for the loss of only 2 wickets, but it took them 17,1 overs, and were it not for some uncharacteristic fielding lapses, Argentina might have pushed them a little harder in the end. In any event, the performance of the South Americans had captured everyone’s attention, and in their afternoon game against Bermuda, they gave everyone even more to talk about.

Bermuda won the toss and elected to bat, and looked to be in solid shape with an opening partnership of 29 between Chalene Thompson and Wendy Woodley, who top-scored with 16. But a tigerish display in the field by Argentina restricted Bermuda to 75 for 7 in 20 overs, with off-spinner Sofia Retamales and Catalina Greloni both picking up 2 for 8 in their respective 4 overs each.

Openers Dirce Yuli (33 not out) and Clara Culley (24) then produced a fine display of batting, and especially running between the wickets, as they posted a stand of 62, taking Argentina to the brink of a historic victory, which was eventually reached at 76 for 2 in 15,5 overs. Perhaps the most telling statistic of the run-chase was that it did not include one single boundary.

Brazil made a welcome debut into official women’s international cricket, and although going down in both their games, showed enough enthusiasm, spirit and potential to indicate that they will surely improve rapidly in the future.

Against the talented Trinidad & Tobago team, Brazil did well to post a score of 62 for 7 in their 20 overs, which the Caribbean side passed in 13,4 overs for the loss of 1 wicket, and the South Americans put up another gutsy display against the powerful hosts USA, making 45 for 8, to which in reply the USA replied with 46 without loss in 12,1 overs.

The big game of day two is now undoubtedly the Canada v Bermuda clash, as the loser faces the prospect of not qualifying for the Division 1 forty over event later in the week, which will provide the Americas champion, as well as the opportunity to perhaps qualify for the Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament.

A Canada win will eliminate Bermuda, while a Bermudan victory will leave all three teams in the group (including Argentina) on one win apiece, which will then require a net run rate separation. In the other morning game, USA will take on Trinidad & Tobago to see who advances to the T20 final in the afternoon.