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Bermuda's chances of retaining their Americas crown were dealt a body blow yesterday as they were comprehensively beaten by the U.S.

The batting heroics of Lionel Cann, who followed his unbeaten century against Suriname with 78 in this game, couldn't stop the defending champs from sliding to an 81-run defeat in Florida.

Irving Romaine's team still have an outside chance of winning the tournament if they beat Canada on Sunday and other results go their way.

But the euphoria of a comprehensive win over the Cayman Islands and the battering they dealt out to minnows Suriname on Wednesday was quickly wiped away by the Americans, who now look firm favourites to win the title.

The day had started well for Bermuda with the hosts pegged back to 135 for 5 after 35 overs.

But they stepped on the gas in the final stages, battering 100 from the final ten overs.

Rashad Marshall blasted 71 from 59 balls with Stefan Kelly (0 for 68 from ten) facing the brunt of the onslaught as his explosive hitting propelled the U.S. to 254 for 7.

Cann, who had blasted 101 before retiring hurt against Suriname on Wednesday, picked up where he left off, with an innings of controlled aggression that saw him reach his half-century in the opening 20 overs.

Chris Douglas and Rodney Trott were quickly back in the pavilion but with Cann and Stephen Outerbridge (41) at the crease Bermuda were still in with a shot.

The momentum was lost when the St. David's skipper limped off injured suffering from a recurrence of the thigh-strain that cut his innings short the day before.

Outerbridge was run-out shortly after and the rest of the middle order crumbled as the U.S. cranked up the pressure.

A patched-up Cann returned to the wicket with the score on 124 for 5 and he and David Hemp (12) rallied briefly, but once those two fell in quick succession the game was up.

Delyone Borden eked out 17 from 50 balls and Bermuda managed to bat out the 50 overs but it was slow going with the scoring rate in stark contrast to the power hitting the U.S. tailenders had produced earlier in the day and Bermuda finished on 173 for 9. Tomorrow is a rest day with Bermuda scheduled to play Argentina on Saturday and Canada on Sunday.

The tournament is a round-robin league table with each team playing each other once.

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