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Bermuda's cricketers enhanced their international reputation yesterday with a creditable, but ultimately unsuccessful, performance against a Kenyan side, widely revered as the “best of the rest” on the world stage.

If further proof were needed that Gus Logie’s men can compete at the top level, they provided it in Namibia, with a battling draw against the World Cup semi-finalists of 2003.

Kenya won the game on bonus points, by virtue of having scored significantly more runs and taken just one less wicket over the three days than their opponents.

But the difference between the two teams was negligible, with the Kenyans, ranked top of the non-Test playing nations, winning a crucial toss and opting to bat first on a flat wicket.

Steve Tikolo stroked a masterful double century as his team cashed in on day one.

Despite a spirited fight back led by captain Clay Smith, Bermuda were always up against it.

And with the bonus points stacking up in favour of the Africans, Tikolo's men were eventually afforded the luxury of playing for a ‘winning draw’.

But Gus Logie’s side were far from outclassed by their more experienced opponents.

In spite of their exploits, though, Bermuda are out of the Intercontinental Cup and coach Logie takes his side into two 50-over games against Namibia, no closer to answering the key questions which still plague his side ahead of the World Cup in 2007.

Logie can have learned little he didn’t already know from this performance.

On the plus side, his team proved once again they have unique battling qualities, true grit and team spirit when their backs are against the wall.

Clay Smith reaffirmed his reputation as one of the best batsmen outside Test cricket with another significant century.

The middle order of Irving Romaine, Saleem Mukuddem, Smith, Janeiro Tucker and Dean Minors added further evidence to suggest they will be the backbone of the World Cup side.

Dwayne Leverock’s return of one for 90 in 51 overs in the second innings won't grab any headlines but it showed once again how superbly effective he is at keeping the scoring rate down.

Ryan Steede also turned in a solid performance with three wickets, the most by any Bermudian bowler in the match.

On the down side, the opening batsmen Curtis Jackson and Kwame Tucker managed just four runs between them, continuing the trend of slow starts.

Bermuda’s bowling attack, all be it hampered by the enforced absence of Kevin Tucker and Kevin Hurdle and an unfriendly wicket, managed to take only ten wickets in 200 overs and conceded 685 runs.

In short, it was a fine performance from Bermuda, but a performance that was built on key contributions from the same dependable few.

The final pieces of the World Cup jigsaw have yet to fall into place with the crucial positions of opening batsmen and strike bowler still up for grabs.

Coach Logie has more than a year to complete the puzzle but as Bermuda continues its road to the West Indies against Namibia tomorrow, he'll be looking to his fringe players to start providing some solutions.[[In-content Ad]]

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