Kaman Leverock of Bermuda struck a well played 38 against Canada, he is seen here batting against the USA. (Photo by Shiek Mohamed)

ICC Under-15 Tournament
Bermuda Annihilate Canada

By Sam Sooppersaud
August 18th, 2009
Once again, it was a splendid day for cricket at Gateway Cricket facility in Brooklyn, New York, as Canada took on Bermuda in the ICC Under-15 Cricket Tournament. As you may know, yesterday the USA defeated Bermuda by one run in a thriller, the first match of the present tournament. Today's game was the first for Canada and the second for Bermuda.

It was a game in which Bermuda twice staged a revival to win by a large margin. Canada, not to be undone, created their own revival, at one stage of the contest. Bermuda occupied the crease first and like yesterday's game, sent out Jonte Smith and Shaquille James to open their account. With the score on 18 Smith gave an easy chance and was caught off opening bowler Vidura Ratnayake for 2 runs.

Christian Burgess joined James and together took the score to 42 when Burgess was out caught off the bowling of Nitish Kumar for 14. Thereafter came a third wicket partnership of 53 between opener James and Kaman Leverock. From 95 for 2, Bermuda slipped to 102 for the loss of 6 wickets. They were now in trouble of being bowled out for a lower score than was projected. Many batsmen were out as a result of poor shot selection.

The Canadians maintained the pressure on the Bermudians with some crafty bowling, varying their length and speed. The bowlers were supported with some excellent fielding and catching by their teammates. A seventh wicket partnership of 51 runs between Shea Pitcher and Kaman Leverock appeared to have revived the Bermuda innings.

A Bermudian bowler (above) send down one, while a Canadian batsman (below) evades a rising delivery. (Photos by John Aaron)

At 153 for 7 wickets, Bermuda was well on their way to a score of about 170 to 180 runs. But Canada struck back and within the next two overs the Bermuda inning ended, the remaining three wickets falling for the addition of only 3 runs. They were all out for 156 with the last two wickets falling in successive balls, both bowled by Vidura Ratnayake who ended up with figures of 5 for 19 in 5.5 overs. The only other effective bowler was Tru Mawosingh who got 3 for 14 for his efforts from 5 overs, 2 of which were maiden. Two batsmen were run out.

Canada started their inning with the polished and hard-hitting opener Nitish Kumar and Nikhil Dutta. Kumar was the star while Dutta played the supporting role. The opening bowlers troubled them with fast rising ball once in a while, but on the whole, they were comfortable against both speedsters. Kirk Brown replaced pacer Winston Woodley and in his third over bowled Dutta when the score was on 46 runs. The 50 came up in the tenth over. The second wicket fell with the score at 51, and from here on it was all a rapid downhill journey for the Canadian batsmen. From 46 for 1 the inning ended at 84 runs, 9 wickets fell for the addition of only 38 runs. Only opener Kumar reached double figures.This was Bermuda's second revival of the match.

In the Bermuda bowling department Kaman Leverock shone with 3 wickets for 30 runs in 6.5 overs. Kamel Easton bowled 2 overs and 1 of which was a maiden and took 2 wickets for 4 runs. Kirk Brown took 1 for 13 and 4 batsmen was run out. Leverock was deservingly adjudged Man of the Match for his excellent performance, he topscored with 38 runs and took 3 wickets.

So far in this tournament, Bermuda have played 2 matches, with 1 loss and 1 win. USA have played 1 match which they won and Canada 1 match which they loss. Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, USA takes on their northern neighbor Canada which has been slated to be an exciting contest.