Mexico set up Belize showdown by CricketArchive

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Scorecard:	Costa Rica v Mexico
Event:	Central American Championship 2006

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DateLine: 4th May 2006

 

On the second day of the 1st Central American Cricket Championships being held in Belize, Mexico proved too strong and polished for a plucky Costa Rican side, and set up a final day showdown with the hosts Belize to determine the first ever Central American cricket champions.

 

Winning the toss and batting first, Mexico were bowled out for 230 in 37 overs, a total which again proved beyond the Costa Ricans, who only managed 67 all out in 16 overs.

 

Mexico’s total was largely put together by a contribution of scores rather than any one individual batsman standing out, and Costa Rica rued some missed opportunities in the field, although in saying that, they also produced an improved performance in the field and some outstanding catches were ultimately held.

 

Top-scorer for Mexico was Tarun Sharma, with 47, with other important contributions coming from Adam Boulton (36), Tushar Gupta (32), Gulshan Ahuja (29) and Jamie Kay (19). Best of the Costa Rican bowlers was Johnnie Lambert with 3 for 41, with good back-up from Herd Rogers (2 for 23) and David Crisp (2 for 30). Chris Prasad again bowled well to concede only 27 runs off his 8 overs.

 

In reply, accurate Mexican bowling proved too much for Costa Rica, with three batsmen reaching double figures – Michael Peart (16), Prasad (14) and Barry Ashworth (11). Seamer Eric Acton did the damage at the start, with 3 for 11, from which the Costa Ricans never really recovered, with skipper Chris Wood (2 for 13) and Tushar Gupta (2 for 20) also bowling well. Tarum Sharma wrapped up the innings, taking 2 wickets in the first 4 balls he bowled, as Costa Rica slumped from 62 for 5 to 67 all out.

 

Thus tomorrow Belize meet Mexico at the Lords Bank cricket ground to see who will be crowned champions of Central America, while Costa Rica, although ending their first tournament winless, showed plenty of spirit and determination under skipper Richard Illingworth, and will no doubt be looking to improve next time.