January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Bermuda snatches thrilling win
It took a resolute and determined performance from a bunch of players that continue to show their sheer will to win is what counts when it matters most.
It was veteran wicket-keeper Dean Minors who shepherded them to a three-wicket victory with a timely 46-not-out, supported by Lionel Cann, with an equally vital knock of 32.
The win means they will meet Zimbabwe in Saturday’s final regardless of the result between the two teams tomorrow.
Speaking after his match-winning performance Minors revealed his determination to win in Bermuda’s first one-day international and the support of his team-mates had been the key to his crucial innings.
“I said to myself ‘no way - we are not going to lose’, we are not going to lose. I could hear Clay and the coach’s voice encouraging me from the sidelines. I really, really was determined to make sure I stayed there till the end.”
Captain Clay Smith, standing in as interim manager while he is out with a knee injury, added “This team has heart and unity and they perform when it counts. It was a little nerve racking at the end but Dean and Lionel batted very sensibly.
“They played sensible cricket and showed the character that this team is all about. This team is built on character and unity and we back ourselves right to the end.
“We were in a dog fight today and the players showed what they are made of.”
Minors arrived at the wicket with Bermuda reeling on 55 for 5 in pursuit of Canada’s total of 157.
He quickly lost Irving Romaine and Hasan Durham, but took the game by the scruff of the neck batting with the kind of patience and concentration that the situation required.
In all he faced 104 balls for his 46. Cann also reined in his attacking instincts taking 57 balls for his 32, which included no boundaries.
Crucially, though, the pair stayed there until the end, putting on a 64 run partnership to steer Bermuda past a rain adjusted target of 151 and claim a momentous victory.
Earlier Dwayne ‘Sluggo’ Leverock had been the hero with the ball, bowling with supreme accuracy to record astonishing figures of one for 14.
Young seamer George O’Brien also claimed two scalps on his full debut while Saleem Mukuddem, Hasan Durham and Janeiro Tucker each claimed two wickets.
Said Sluggo: “This is what we’ve been striving for all our lives, It’s the first one-day international for us, it’s a pleasure and an honour to be representing my country and to bowl the way I did was great.
“The wicket turned early on and I just had to put it in the right place.”
Minors who is getting a reputation for pulling out crucial runs when it matters added that the team ethic was what drove Bermuda to succeed when the odds were against them.
“It’s about building personality and character for our team. I just wanted to grind it out and make sure we got there.”
Smith cautioned that there was still work to do before the real celebrations could begin.
“The guys realize its not over yet. We’ve got Zimbabwe tomorrow and again in the final on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a bigger challenge but we feel this pitch favours our spinners and we want to go on and win this tournament.”[[In-content Ad]]
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