United States goes 2-1-1 in WCL Americas Division Play

After a serious of weather related interruptions, the eagerly awaited key clash between Bermuda and the United States was abandoned as a no result at the Maple Leaf CC in Toronto, Canada.

With the final round of fixtures scheduled for tomorrow, Bermuda hold the edge with a four point advantage over the USA, but with a superior net run rate, a USA win over Canada will see them snatch the title away from the Bermudans.

Bermuda won the toss and put the USA in to bat, and they tasted early success as Roopnarine departed without scoring. But opening bat Sushil Nadkarni and skipper Steve Massiah continued their outstanding form with the bat, and set out about compiling a brilliant second wicket partnership of 168 that threatened to take the game away from Bermuda.

Nadkarni eventually fell for an classy 83, off 101 balls with 8 fours, while Massiah was dismissed for the first time in the tournament, for an outstanding 81, made off 87 balls with eleven scintillating fours.

When a rain interruption came for the second time, after the game had already been reduced to 40 overs a side, USA were poised to set an imposing target at 213 for 4 in the 35th over. Pick of the Bermudan bowlers were George O'Brien, with 2 for54, and Saleem Mukuddem, 1 for 38. After a lengthy and frustrating delay, the Bermuda challenge got underway with a revised target of 163 in 24 overs in their sights. The fiery USA attack grabbed two early Bermudan wickets, however, a mere 2 overs and 2 balls into their innings, with the score on 12 for 2, the batsmen accepted the light offered by the umpires, and when it was no longer possible to fit in the minimum 20 overs required to constitute a match, the game was sadly abandoned as a no result.

This leaves Bermuda on top of the table with 14 points, having completed their games, with the USA in second spot with 10 points, and needing to beat Canada tomorrow to claim the Americas Championship. Their superior net run rate would mean the title going to them ahead of Bermuda as a USA win over Canada would leave both teams on 14 points. There will surely be plenty of Bermudan support for Canada tomorrow as the 2006 tournament draws to an exciting close.

© ICC

It was too little for Canada as they crushed title contenders USA on the final day of Americas Championship action by 10 wickets, thus giving Bermuda their first ever Americas Championship title.

After a faltering start to the event, with two losses on the first two days, the Canadians improved dramatically over the final half of the tournament to ultimately claim third place, still their worst ever finish at this event.

For the United States, it was a disastrous day when it had dawned with them only a win away from claiming the Americas cricket championship title. Their much-vaunted top-order failed for the first time in the tournament, and the Canadian twin spin attack of Davison and Sandher nailed down the rest of the USA innings.

With only Carl Wright, with 31 in 51 balls, including 2 fours, and Gowkaran Roopnarine, 25, getting some runs on the board, the USA were bundled out for only 116 in 32,4 overs. Canada needed only four bowlers, who all delivered the goods on the day. Opening bowlers Austin Codrington, 1 for 27, and Steve Welsh, 2 for 35, did the initial damage, and the rest was left to spinners John Davison, 3 for 22, and Kevin Sandher, 3 for 24.

The Canadians showed no mercy in racing to a comprehensive victory by 10 wickets as opening pair John Davison and Sandeep Jyoti polished off the runs required in a mere 16,4 overs. Man of the match Davison ended undefeated on 58, off 55 balls, smashing 5 fours and a six, while Jyoti was not out on 47, in 49 balls with 5 fours.

Thus USA finished in second place, their new-look team certainly showing vast potential for a US resurgence on the global cricket stage, while Canada, ending in third spot, have plenty still to think about ahead of their big challenge.

Final Standings:
Bermuda 3-0-1
United States 2-1-1
Canada 2-2-0
Cayman Islands 2-2-0
Argentina 0-4-0

What this means:

Team USA came into this event ranked as the 3rd best team in Americas Division 1. Canada and Bermuda, who have both qualified for the 2007 World Cup, were ranked ahead of the USA. Had the USA played well and won their final game of the tournament against Canada, they could have won this tournament despite 2 higher ranked teams in the field. This wasn't to be, as our team chose to have its one bad day against Canada on the last day of the round robin tournament.

Team USA has qualified for the World Cricket League 2007 World Division 3. Other teams include Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Fiji, Italy, Tanzania, Cayman Islands, and Hong Kong.

The top 2 teams in this tournament will move on to the World Cricket League 2007 World Division 2 (and face Denmark, Namibia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates). The top 4 teams in that tournament move on to the World Cup 2011 Qualifying tournament.

Prior to this tournament, the USA team had been in disarray, which is why they come to find themselves in the World Division 3 instead of Division 1 or 2 (where they should be). This tournament was the first for a much younger, more talented Team USA. I am not sure how many of them will be around in 2011 but this was the first step towards qualifying for the big tournament in five years time.

Photos:

United States Captain Steve Massiah smashes another drive on his way to 136 not out against the Cayman Islands

The United States' Sushil Nadkarni cuts during his 83 against Bermuda

United States Captain Steve Massiah on his way to 81 against Bermuda

Canada Captain John Davison hits the match winning shot against the United States

Canada and United States exchange handshakes following their match.

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