Canada overcome brave Argentina

At Lomas Athletic Club, Longchamps, a brave Argentina battled in vain to shock World Cup qualifiers Canada, ultimately losing by 42 runs.

Canada elected to bat first, but determined and gritty bowling and fielding by the Argentines restricted the defending champions to 185 all out in 47.3 overs, thanks largely to 51 from Ian Billcliff and 39 by Diwan.

Young fast bowler Lucas Paterlini showed immediate form on his return from the Eastern Province Cricket Academy in South Africa, to shine with 4 for 47, and was ably supported by Hernan Pereyra, with 2 for 30, and Paul Ferguson, 2 for 33, all in their allotted 10 overs.

In their reply, Argentina were at one point well placed at 78 for 2 to push on to a remarkable victory, but eventually succumbed to some fine controlled Canadian bowling for 143 in 45 overs.

Top scorer was Matias Paterlini with 39, while Bernardo Irigoyen contributed 25. All the Canadian bowlers proved effective, especially Patel, 2 for 34, Seebaran, 2 for 10, and Ifill, 2 for 33.

RESULT: Canada won by 42 runs.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ian Billcliff (Canada)

Low-Scoring Caymans triumph at Hurlingham

At Hurlingham the contest between Bermuda and the Cayman Islands produced a low- scoring saga, with a sub-standard pitch, a result of the weekends heavy rain, the main factor.

Bermuda were put in to bat, and could only muster 59 all out in 28 overs. David Wight, with 5 for 12 in 10 overs was the destroyer in chief for the Caymans, while Ryan Bovell also performed with the ball, taking 3 for 10. No Bermudan batsman was able to reach double figures.

Cayman Islands stumbled a little, but finally reached their moderate target of 60, for the loss of 6 wickets. Dennis Archer did his best to prevent the victory with 4 for 21 in 10 overs. James and Bovell contributed 15 and 13 respectively to the Caymans total.

RESULT: Cayman Islands won by 4 wickets.
MAN OF THE MATCH: David Wight (Cayman Islands)

USA too strong for Bahamas

At Belgrano, the United States predictably and comfortably beat the debutant Bahamas by 177 runs.

After being put in to bat, the USA compiled a useful 255 for the loss of 7 wickets in their 50 overs, thanks mainly to a fine 83 not out from Faoud Bacchus, crafted in 109 balls, with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Rohan Alexander made 39, Amjad Khan 24 and Rashid Zia 42.

For the Bahamas, Gary Armstrong bowled his heart out to be rewarded with 6 for 51 in his 10 overs.

In reply, the Bahamas were bowled out for only 78 in 30 overs, with Joy Zinto taking 3 for 14, Nasir Islam 2 for 9, and Donavan Blake 2 for 23.

RESULT: United States won by 177 runs.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Faoud Bacchus (USA)

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