Bermuda slumps to defeat in Florida (update 2)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20: Bermuda lost to Canada by 15 runs on Duckworth/Lewis in a rain-shortened match at Central Broward Regional Stadium tonight.

Canada were 40 for one after 7.3 overs in reply to Bermuda’s 79 for nine when rain and lightening forced the players off the pitch for good.

Despite the loss, though, Bermuda remains on course to advance to next year’s World Twenty20 global qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A win against the Cayman Islands on Friday would be enough to send David Moore’s team through.

Tonight’s inclement weather mirrored Bermuda’s poor batting display against a disciplined Canadian bowling attack backed up by sharp fielding.

Bermuda’s decision to bat first backfired as they were quickly reduced to 36 for eight, with recognized bats Lionel Cann (one), David Hemp (five) and Dean Minors (0) among those misfiring at the crease.

That Bermuda surpassed the half-century mark owed much to a 43-run stand for the ninth-wicket between top scorer Malachi Jones (29 not out) and Joshua Gilbert (13).

Kamau Leverock, one of the youngest players at the tournament, chipped in with a useful 12 before he was undone by a delivery from leg spinner Zahid Hussain that kept low.

Doing the most damage with the ball for the Canadians were seamer Grant Broadhurst and leg spinner Junaid Siddiqui who both bowled a steady line and length.

Broadhurst led the way with three for eight while Siddiqui had three for 20.

Jason Sandher topped the Canadian’s batting with an unbeaten 17.

Following tomorrow’s rest day Bermuda will face Cayman Islands on Friday and USA on Saturday.

Bermuda: D.Hemp (capt), L.Cann, F.Crockwell, K.Leverock, R.Trott, OJ Pitcher, D.Minors (WK), O.Bascome, D.Bell, M.Jones, J.Gilbert.