Foggo helps light small flicker of hope

An improved all-round display raised hopes of Bermuda salvaging pride from their four-day Intercontinental Shield match with the United Arab Emirates at the National Sports Centre yesterday.

At stumps the hosts were 107 for one but still facing an uphill climb after being blown away for a near record-low in their first innings on opening day’s play of the first class match.

Bermuda’s decision to bat after winning the toss backfired as they folded for a paltry 56.

UAE replied with 356 for six declared, leaving their hosts 300 runs in first innings arrears.

Pakistan–born opening bat Arshad Ali led the visitor’s batting with a fine knock of 126 from 278 balls.

Spin duo Rodney Trott (three for 96) and Joshua Gilbert (three for 85) shared the six UAE wickets to tumble on a turning batting strip.

Unbeaten at the crease at close of yesterday’s play were opening bat Chris Foggo (45) and vice-captain Stephen Outerbridge (42) who are both nearing half centuries.

The pair have added 87 runs for the second wicket so far and will look to pick up where they left off when play resumes.

UAE declared their innings just before tea, leaving Bermuda to see out over a session before stumps were drawn.

Bermuda skipper David Hemp praised his front line batsmen who were equal to the task.

He said: “Obviously from our point of view today was a much better day, especially with the bat. I think the pleasing thing for us was the application second time around with the bat. So to finish the day 107 for one was a very good effort by the two batsmen that have managed to see us through.

“If everyone can show the same application as a batting unit like Chris and Stephen have shown tomorrow, then you never know how the rest of the game will unfold.

“The wicket is playing fine, it’s obviously spinning a bit more but it’s still a good wicket. Two hundred and fifty runs have been scored on it on both days and so as far as we are concerned it’s still a good wicket.”

Still faced with a 193 run deficit, Hemp knows his team’s work is cut out for them.

He said: “We still have got an awful lot of work to do simply because of the awful day we had yesterday (Monday) with the bat. Once you get bowled out for under 60 in a four-day game you always have to bat to get back into the game. “But we had a chat last night (Monday) and made a better effort of things today (yesterday) which is pleasing. But again it’s frustrating knowing how we can play if we apply ourselves, which we didn’t do on the first day.

“We just have to take things session by session — that’s all we can do.

“The mindset is one ball at a time, and that’s all you can do.”