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USA set the pace with second impressive win by International Cricket Council

Event:

ICC World Cricket League Americas Region Division One 2008/09

DateLine: 29th November 2008

The second day of the ICC Americas Division 1 tournament in Lauderhill, Florida, USA offered up three predictable victories for hosts USA, defending champions Bermuda and Canada respectively. The USA scored a comfortable win by 7 wickets over Argentina, who could not match their first day heroics, while Bermudas 224 run victory over Suriname was almost never in doubt. Canada shook off their first day fright to look more like the powerhouse they are by crushing the Cayman Islands by 206 runs.

At Brian Piccolo Park, another fine innings from Hamish Barton (74 off 118 balls with 3 fours) steered a steady Argentina to a total of 200 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Perhaps an improvement in the batting department from day one, as this Barton found more support from Donny Forrester, with 23 from 25 balls, 3 fours, Gary Savage with 30 off 52 balls and 2 fours, and Lucas Paterlini, 20, from 15 balls with a four and a six. For the USA, best of the bowling was Imran Awan, with 2 for 16 in 7 overs, and Nazir Javed, 2 for 44 in 9 overs.

All thoughts of Argentinas fine bowling and fielding performance against Canada were quickly obliterated by Sushil Nadkarni, who produced another superlative batting performance, carrying on from where he had left off after yesterdays innings of 197, to record a second successive century. Nadkarni finished undefeated on a brilliant 109, off 106 balls, with 12 fours and 3 sixes.

USA skipper Steve Massiah, with 43 in 65 balls including 2 fours, and Carl Wright with 24 off 32 fours and 3 fours, added the required support to Nadkarni, and the USA reached their target and 203 for 3 with 12 overs still remaining. While Nadkarni and the USA will hope he will make it three centuries in a row in tomorrows big game against Bermuda, Argentina will be sweating on the fitness of Barton for their crunch match against the Cayman Islands after picking up an ankle injury today.

USA manager Imran Khan was understandably pleased with the victory against the dangerous Argentina side: We played well against determined opposition and did the job we set out to do. While our batting, and especially Sushil (Nadkarni), is looking good, we have work to do on being more disciplined in the field, and especially not gifting the opposition with bowling extras.

Argentina player-coach Hamish Barton remained upbeat despite the loss: Were playing well, especially considering how tough the opposition has been in the first two games. Today we knew the USA batting was very strong, and we didnt score enough runs to be competitive and to give our bowlers a chance to bowl with a bit more freedom. If we start scoring over 220, and we maintain our standards in the field, our progress is good and Im sure well start earning some good results.

After almost slipping up against Argentina yesterday, Canada made sure there was nothing close about their encounter with the Cayman Islands. Perhaps also wary after their surprise loss to the Cayman Islands in Toronto two years ago in the previous regional championship, Canada put in a powerful display with bat and ball to look like title challengers again.

On the Central Broward Regional Park B Field, Canada racked up an impressive 298 for 9 in 50 overs, with their top order firing on all cylinders. Opener Sandeep Jyoti top-scored with a stylish 88 off 129 balls, including 8 fours and a six, while two further half-centuries came from Zubin Surkari, 62 off 54 balls, 7 fours and 2 sixes, and Qaiser Ali, with 61 off 76 balls, with 4 fours and a six. Karun Jethi also weighed in with a whirlwind 37, scored off just 20 balls, with 3 fours and 3 sixes.

For the Cayman Islands, Alessandro Morris took 3 for 68 in 10 overs, while Ryan Bovell took 2 for 53 in his set of 10 overs. Disaster struck for the Cayman Islands, losing a wicket off the very first ball of their reply, a setback from which they were never really able to recover. Eventually bundled out for a mere 92 in 33,2 overs, only Steve Gordon showed some resistance of substance, making 24 from 68 balls, with 3 fours. Destroyers in chief for Canada were Khurram Chohan, who took 3 for 34 in 8 overs, and Zahid Hussain, with 3 for 11. Eion Katchay also bowled well to take 2 for 24 in his 8 overs.

Canadian captain Umar Bhatti was delighted with his teams return to form: We set ourselves goals today and I believe we achieved almost all of them. The team performed tremendously well today, all three departments were up to scratch, and it was a huge improvement from yesterday.

Pearson Best, captain of the Cayman Islands, will certainly be looking for improvement in the games ahead: Were nowhere near the standard we should be, both batting and bowling. Today we just did not come to terms with the conditions, the bounce especially, the bowlers not exploiting it and the batsmen not coping with it.

On the main stadium field at Central Broward Regional Park, Bermuda were predictably way too strong for Suriname and ran out comfortable 224 run victors. Electing to bat first, Bermuda scored an imposing 290 for 3 in their 50 overs, with opener Lionel Cann notching up an impressive 101 off 97 balls with 16 fours. Christopher Douglas, 42 off 52 balls with 3 fours, Stephen Outerbridge, 62 off 81 balls including 3 fours, and skipper Irving Romaine, 50 not out from 51 balls, with 4 fours and a six, all produced fine batting performances, while for Suriname, young Giovani Gokoel impressed, taking 2 for 40 in his 10 overs.

In reply, left-arm spinner Delyone Borden was the scourge of the Surinamese batsmen, taking a brilliant 6 for 17 in 10 overs, as Suriname were bundled out for 66 in 34 overs. Stephen Outerbridge completed an excellent all-round performance, taking 3 for 15 in 7 overs.

Bermuda coach, Gus Logie, was pleased with his teams progress thus far: Today was all about building on yesterdays effort, and we did that strongly. It was also good to continue building confidence for the tough games ahead. We are constantly looking for self-improvement and today we got that, also our attitude and approach towards the game was very business-like, which was important. Logie was also impressed with the fantastic new stadium, and gave credit to the groundstaff and curator for the good pitches on the first two days, and the excellent cricket ground.

Cyrill Bonar, Suriname manager, continued to look for positive experience: Although we think we can play better, we recognize that we are playing very strong countriesUSA, Bermuda and Canada in three days. We improved in the field today, and the captain was certainly far better with field placements. Still, we can do far better as a team, and we are looking forward to the other three matches.

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