If the action on the first day in ICC WCL Division four in Malaysia was methodical, then chaos engulfed the grounds on the second day’s play as batting collapses from Bermuda and Vanuatu ended their chances in heavy disappointments against Uganda and host’s Malaysia respectively.
And a rain-dance (not literally but figuratively) by Denmark concluded the day’s play with the Danes getting a good rain-deal against Jersey. The Channel Islands nation often get to see rain days back home but today’s downpour splashed water over their chances of getting a second win on consecutive days. Instead, it’s the Danes who got their second win in as many days.
As Vin Diesel would say “It doesn’t matter whether you win by an inch or a mile”, the same sentiments would be echoed by Malaysia as they have managed to win both their matches in close affairs but the fact that they have got full points from their opening two group matches will bring in more home crowd support in the remaining three rounds of group phase matches.
Bermuda’s off-field issues with Kamau Leverock and absence of Delray Rawlins is hurting them in all ways possible now and with Leverock not selected for both their games in Malaysia so far, Bermuda Cricket Board will have to intervene some sense into the running matters in Malaysia, if they are to make any sort of comeback in the tournament. Today’s loss was embarrassing at many fonts and the players have to re-group and start having faith in the team spirit to counter their team management issues.
Jersey have themselves to blame for falling short by 30-40 runs at best after the start provided by Nat Watkins and Ben Stevens. An issue they need to address in the middle overs next time they bat. Perchard was clearly upset when the match resumed after almost 2 1/2 hours of delay with the bowler run-ups still pretty much soggy but the umpires went ahead with the resumption.
A day to remember for Uganda’s Mohammed Irfan as he collected the tournaments first five-fer along with some crucial runs down the order.
Brief Scores:
Jersey 238/6 in 50 overs (Nat Watkins 86, Ben Stevens 69, Nick Ferraby 19 n.o, Cornelis Bodenstein 14 n.o, Saif Ahmad 2/36, Anders Bulow 2/30, Bashir Shah 2/67) lost to Denmark 114/3 in 21.5 overs (Target – 114 in 23 overs – Freddie Klokker 39, Zameer Khan 38, Charles Perchard 1/11, Ben Stevens 1/28) by 7 wickets (Duckworth/Lewis Method)
Uganda 249/5 in 50 overs (Roger Mukasa 97, Hamu Kayondo 55, Riazat Ali Shah 33, Mohammed Irfan 25, Cejay Outerbridge 2/46, Dion Stovell 1/19) beat Bermuda 60 all out in 21.4 overs (Charles Trott 17, Mohammed Irfan 6/23, Frank Nsubuga 2/27, Henry Ssenyondo 1/7) by 189 runs
Malaysia 196 all out in 43.5 overs (Ahmed Faiz 86, Shafiq Sharif 27, Syahadat Ramli 21, Andrew Mansale 2/13, Nalin Nipiko 2/33, Apolinaire Stephen 2/31, Jelany Chilia 2/48) beat Vanuatu 173 all out in 49.3 overs (Shane Deitz 46, Andrew Mansale 26, Joshua Rasu 24, Syed Aziz Syed Mubarak 2/22, Syahadat Ramli 2/28, Mohammad Shukri 2/39, Pavandeep Singh 1/19) by 23 runs
