HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Cayman Islands crushed Bahamas by eight wickets while two Jamaican-born players helped United States recover to edge Argentina by two wickets in the opening round of matches of the World Cricket League Americas Region Division One Twenty20 tournament on Friday.
Ryan Bovell struck an unbeaten 38-ball 50 and opener Ramon Sealy made 39 not out as the Caymans raced to victory with 29 balls to spare after restricting the Bahamas to an inadequate 101 for seven at the National Sports Centre.
Only three Bahamas batsmen reached double figures. Ryan Tappin top-scored with 23 and Marc Taylor made 20. Alessandro Morris (2-8) and Marlon Bryan (2-16) were the Caymans’ leading bowlers.
Argentina posted a challenging 183 for six at the small Sea Breeze Oval ground and had the US in trouble at 105 for seven but a 67-run eighth-wicket stand between Jamaicans Timroy Allen (32) and Orlando Baker, who finished 28 not out, helped guide their side to victory with 11 balls to spare. Allen’s 21-ball innings included two sixes.
The US, who were led by Sushil Nadkarni’s 42, had their cause greatly helped by Argentina conceding 25 extras including 17 wides.
Alejo Tissera claimed four for 54 while Gary Savage and Lucas Paterlini each took two for 34.
Earlier Argentina’s Grant Dugmore smashed six fours and five sixes in his 35-ball 68 and was well supported by Tomas Francis (35) and Donald Forrester (32).
Guyanese Steve Massiah (two for 34) and Muhammad Ghous (two for 39) were the top bowlers for the US.