Bermuda remain unbeaten in Florida

Tuesday, July 19: Bermuda beat Suriname by eight runs on Duckworth/Lewis to record their second straight win at regional World Twenty20 qualifiers today in Florida.

Led by half-centuries from Lionel Cann and skipper David Hemp, Bermuda piled up an impressive 160 for four in their allotted overs.

Cann hammered 63 off 39 balls while Hemp gathered 50 from 42 balls.

Together the pair added 93 runs of the first wicket.

Hemp added a further 44 runs with Fiqre Crockwell (20) for the second wicket before he was caught in the deep.
Right -arm fast bowler Troy Dudnath was the pick of the Suriname attack, claiming two for 40.

Suriname’s innings was delayed by heavy rains and when play finally resumed their target was reduced to 50 runs in five overs.

Bermuda fast bowler George O’Brien jr (two for five) made the initial breakthrough when he claimed two wickets in as many balls in his one allotted over to reduce Suriname to two for nine.

However, the ICC Associate newcomers were thrown a lifeline after off-spinner Rodney Trott went for a costly 17 runs in his over that yielded two sixes.

This set the stage for a dramatic finish with Suriname requiring 15 runs off the final over.

Damali Bell, a replacement for Sammy Robinson, was given the huge responsibility of containing the opposition. And he proved equal to the task, conceding just six runs to secure the win to leave Suriname stranded on 41 for three.

Commenting on Bell’s composure at the death, Bermuda skipper Hemp, said: “Damali  did really well to keep them under 15 runs, which is what was required.

“I thought the seamers bowled a really good length today; they didn’t get too full and kept it just back of a length.”
Hemp was also pleased to get back among the runs.

“It was pleasing for me that I did spend some time at the crease. Obviously my role was to knock it around because of the way Lionel played.

“He’s in some touch at the moment and struck the ball beautifully, which allowed everyone else to knock it around.”