Loss leaves Bermuda in dire straits

Bermuda’s World Cricket League Division Two campaign went from bad to worse at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai yesterday as the islanders plunged to a 86-run loss against Namibia.

It was hardly the result Bermuda had hoped for, having already lost to Papua New Guinea and Uganda earlier in the tournament.

Much of whether or not they remain in the WCL Division Two now hinges on Bermuda’s final match against unbeaten hosts United Arab Emirates at Dubai Sports City Stadium tomorrow.

Formidable

Bermuda coach David Moore said of yesterday’s loss: “Namibia is a very strong team, and we just didn’t play well enough today.

“We bowled well in the first two-thirds of the game — but we just lost it in the last.”

Bermuda leaked 59 runs off the last three overs as the Namibians stepped on the gas in search of quick runs at the death.

Namibia eventually scored a formidable 297 for eight in their allotted 50 overs after electing to bat, thanks to half-centuries from top order bats Ewald Steenkamp (87), Sarel Burger (59) and Craig Williams, who blasted 74 from just 35 deliveries.

Off spinner Rodney Trott was the pick of the Bermuda bowling with figures of two for 37 from nine overs.

Asked to reply at just under six runs per over, Bermuda made a fist of it but ultimately fell shy of the target.

Dion Stovell and Lionel Cann led the run chase with dashing half-centuries.

Opening bat Stovell blasted ten fours and three sixes in a whirlwind knock of 73 from just 67 balls. Cann belted four sixes and two fours in an equally robust knock of 53 from 56 balls, batting at number six.

Blistering

Both players also featured in productive partnerships, with Stovell and Irving Romaine (21) adding 65 runs for the fourth-wicket and Cann dominating an 81-run seventh-wicket stand with Trott (29) that threatened to take the match away from the Namibians.

Bermuda’s reply got off to a blistering start, with 98 runs arriving during the fielding power play — albeit at the expense of three wickets.

“We set off like a house on fire with Stovell and Cann, but those boys should really be getting centuries,” Moore said.

However, Bermuda’s good start did not last and they finished all out for 211 runs in 42.3 overs.