Bermuda A 258 Argentina 122

Bermuda’s developmental tour of Argentina got off to a predictably winning start at the St.Alban’s Club yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to take first strike, half-centuries from Fiqre Crockwell (51), Oronde Bascome (56 not out) and Chris Douglas (79) carried the tourists to an unassailable total for the loss of six-wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Argentina eventually came up short by 136 runs as promising off-spinner Tamauri Tucker collected four for 24 during a steady ten over burst that included four maidens.

Fellow off-spinner Delyone Borden (two for 25) also bowled economically, as well as seamers Kevon Fubler and Jordan Desilva who took a wicket each before the Argentines folded in the 40th over.

Earlier, openers Douglas and Crockwell shared in a whirlwind 127-run stand that put Bermuda in full -command from the outset against a wayward Argentine attack that tossed down 19 wides in a total of 34 extras.

Douglas also added 33 runs with Bascome before Bermuda suffered a middle order collapse in which four wickets tumbled for the addition of 62 runs, with the likes of skipper Irving Romaine (3), Glenn Blakeney (12), Borden (10) and Rodney Trott (11) among those misfiring at the crease.

Seamer Esteban McDermont took two for 31 to lead a blunted Argentine attack.

Presented with an asking run rate of 5.1 runs an over, Argentina’s reply got off to a wobbly start with the hosts losing two early wickets before a 61-run partnership between Donny Forrester (33) and Tommy Francis (25) halted the slide.

However, once Francis retired hurt the Argentines were undermined by the spin of Tucker and Borden, with their remaining wickets falling for just for 41 runs.

The two teams will do battle again tomorrow in another 50 overs contest at the Belgrano Athletic Club.