|
|
|
|
Bahamas win again in Buenos Aires
ICC Americas Media Release
The Bahamas sent a clear warning to Division 2 rivals and host nation Argentina with a 9 wicket mauling of Panama at Corimayo. After Panama were dismissed for 134, the Bahamas simply tore into the Panamanian bowling to race to victory in only 16 overs for the loss of just the one wicket. Yet earlier in the day, after being put in to bat, it looked very likely that Panama were going to set the Bahamas a challenging total, at one point being handily placed at 122 for 4 in the 32nd over. Captain and opening bat, Soyeb Chohan (28), continued his solid form, with Tariq Daya (23) and Irfan Tarajiya (29) both making good contributions. What followed was a batting collapse, inspired largely by the left-arm spin of Narendra Ekanayake (6 for 12 in 6 overs), later unsurprisingly named Man of the Match, and Panama lost their remaining 6 wickets for the addition of only 12 runs to be all out for 134 in 38,1 overs. Venris Bennett weighed in with 2 for 30, and wicket-keeper Greg Taylor Jnr again had a fine day behind the stumps, snaring four catches and a stumping. At lunch, the Bahamas were very comfortably placed at 68 for 1 after 10 overs, but some explosive batting at the resumption, with Mario Ford and Greg Taylor Jnr in tandem, saw the add 69 runs in just 6 overs to see the Bahamas to a winning total of 137 for 1 in 16 overs. Ford ended with 68 not out, including 12 fours and 2 sixes, off only 28 balls, with Taylor also undefeated on 34. With the Panamanian bowlers having being put to the sword, only Irfan Tarajiya with 1 for 38 in 6 came away relatively unscathed. The Bahamas win, and the manner in which they achieved it, means that they will be looking for that sought after promotion place on Saturday against Argentina, regardless of what happens tomorrow while they enjoy a bye. Their net run rate is also well out of range of the other challengers. Tomorrow Argentina still have to overcome a buoyant Suriname, after their win over Belize, but it looks likely that the Argentina vs Bahamas showdown will be a winner takes all affair.
Suriname were put in to bat by Belize, and they got away to a very solid start, with partnerships of 36 and 57 moving them to 93 for 2 after 23 overs. The top-order of Deoraj Sewanan (38), Sanjay Meghoe (22) and top-scorer B Prasad (41) all batted confidently to give Suriname a sound foundation. However the Belize bowling attack, spearheaded by Landis Wade (4 for 21) and Pradeep Perera (2 for 43) pegged Suriname back, and a continuous flow of wickets saw Suriname bowled out for 182 in 46,2 overs, perhaps leaving them a little disappointed they did not pass the 200 mark. In reply, Belize slipped to 29 for 2, but a 51 run third wicket partnership between Eldon Wade (33) and Clarence Anthony (31) looked to be resting the initiative fairly and squarely with the Belizeans. Wily left-arm spinner Surujpaul Mangal (2 for 43) dismissed both danger-men, and suddenly Suriname fought back, with S.Oemraw claiming 3 middle-order wickets (3 for 29) to leave the contest on a tightrope with Belize at 133 for 6, needing another 50 runs to win in 11 overs remaining, but with only 4 wickets remaining. A couple of dropped catches from Suriname were not costly as Belize played a few indiscreet shots, also adding a run out, but a tense 25 run ninth wicket partnership again brought the Belizeans back from the brink. Suriname added four wild overthrows in the gathering intrigue, but Shazam Ramjohn finally bowled D Rhaburn and Belize were all out for 166 (46,4 overs) and Suriname were victorious by 16 runs. Thus the promoted Division 3 champions had taken a big step towards retaining their new Division 2 status, while Belize will now have their work cut out against Panama in a last-ditch effort to stay in the Second Division.
P W L NR Pts
Bahamas 3 3 0 0 12
Argentina 2 2 0 0 8
Suriname 2 1 1 0 4
Belize 3 0 3 0 0
Panama 2 0 2 0 0
© CricketEurope 2009
|
|
Email This Article To Someone!
In the closest contest of the Americas Division 2 tournament, Suriname scored an important victory over Belize by 16 runs at the Hurlingham Club. In a game between tow evenly matched sides, fortunes swung throughout the day, but in the end it was perhaps the greater discipline of the Surinamese that swung the balance. Not that they didn't try and gift-wrap the game for Belize, dropping a couple of simpler and simple catches as the game went into an interesting finale.