Argentina make strong start by CricketArchive

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Scorecard:	Argentina v Belize
Event:	ICC World Cricket League Americas Region Division Two 2006

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DateLine: 19th April 2006

 

At Corimayo host nation Argentina showed their potential strength in the Americas Division 2 Championship opening match by recording a resounding 10 wicket win over Belize. After a good showing in the recent Central American Championships, Belize had high hopes for a competitive performance against Argentina in their first ever match against an Associate nation, but the hosts simply proved too strong in all departments on the day.

 

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Belize made a disastrous start, slumping to 17 for 4 against some fine seam bowling from Diego Lord (4 for 18) and Gary Savage (2 for 29). There was brief resistance from the middle order, and Belize looked like clawing their way towards a reasonable total at 104 for 6, with still 23 overs to go. The fightback was due to determined knocks from Dorian Gabb (36 in 44b) and Clarence Anthony (30 in 38 balls). In the end however, there was no bright wag of the tail, and the Belize innings ended in the 33rd over with their total on 136.

 

With no real pressure in terms of run-rate, Argentina confidently moved towards their target, and with the aid of some dropped catches, opening pair Gaston Arizaga (77no in 107 balls – 11 fours / 2 sixes) and Charles Gibson (40no in 105 balls – 2 fours) took the hosts home with an unbeaten first wicket partnership of 137 in 33 overs to register a 10 wicket win.

 

Thus the race is on to gain promotion to Division 1, and Argentina could not have hoped for a better start. For Belize, they will certainly look for improvement in all areas when they face the powerful Bahamas outfit at Hurlingham tomorrow. Also tomorrow, Panama will be making their debut in the competition, and will perhaps not be relishing an opening encounter against Argentina at Corimayo after the hosts clinical performace on day one.

 

With a cloud hanging over the participation of Division 3 champions Suriname, the final format and fixture schedule will only be confirmed tomorrow.