The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ national cricket team is still searching for its first win after their recent promotion, pitting them against the top sides in the region.

In the International Cricket Council’s Tournament of the Americas Division I, the Bahamas has opened at 0-4 in the event.

The tournament features Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Suriname and the United States, hosted in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, at the Brian Picolo Park and Central Broward Regional Park/Stadium.

It was a double header on day one for the Bahamas with an opening match against Bermuda followed by the Cayman Islands.

Against Bermuda, the Bahamas won the toss and deferred batting to Bermuda who went on to post a total of 192-4. The Bahamas struggled offensively and posted just 65.

Bermuda’s Curt Stovell was named the man of the match and Bermuda won by 127 runs. Narendra Ekanayake finished with 14 runs, while Jonathan Barry and Ryan Tappin each finished with 13.

In game two against Cayman, the Bahamas batted first and improved slightly from game one with a score of 83-3.

In their turn at bat, the Cayman Islands reached 45-2 before rain halted the game after eight overs. They won by 10 runs based on the Duckworth-Lewis method and Alessandro Morris was named the Man of the Match for his six wickets. Tappin was the leading run scorer with 35 runs, followed by Marc Taylor with 23.

Against the tournament favourite and hosts United States, the Bahamas lost a lopsided match as the US won by eight wickets and five overs left to spare.

It was a much stronger offensive effort for the Bahamas with 113 runs.

Turan Brown led the charge with 31 runs, Jonathan Barry added 29 and Tappin finished with 26.

Ryan Corns batted through the innings for 61 runs not out to win Man of the Match honours and lead the US to victory.

In the opening match yesterday against Suriname, the Bahamas opened with 108-8, but were surpassed by Suriname with 121-9. Marc Taylor finished with a side high 43 runs while Brown and Barry each added 12.

The Bahamas has another double header 10am today against the US followed by a 3pm match against Suriname. They end the tournament against Bermuda 10am Friday.

The top two finishers at this event will be promoted to the ICC World T20 Qualifier to be held in UAE later in 2013.

The Bahamas national team dominated the ICC Americans Division II Championships at home in February by completing a four-match sweep over their regional counterparts. This is actually the third time that the Bahamas has been promoted to Division 1, having won the DII tournament.