Canada and Bermuda sail through to semis

Bermuda overcame Bahamas by 11 runs at the National Stadium in Hamilton to seal their place in the semi-final on June 6, when they will take on USA. Bermuda posted a competitive 148, courtesy important contributions from opener Chris Foggo (41) and Janeiro Tucker (46). Irving Romaine then struck some meaty blows at the death in a quickfire 28.

In response, Bahamas looked in control for a good part of the chase and at 88 for 1 in the 13th over were the favourites. Opener Marc Taylor and Rohan Parkes were involved in a 61-run second-wicket stand but Bahamas suffered a collapse, losing five wickets for 31 runs, including Mario Ford who was out handling the ball. The lower order were kept quiet by the Bermuda bowlers, who restricted the opposition to 137.

Argentina were trounced by Canada in at the St David's Cricket Club in Bermuda. Three-wicket spells from Khurram Chohan and Sunil Dhaniram helped skittle out Argentina for just 66. Only three batsmen reached double-figures, with the top score of 15 from Grant Dugmore. Canada chased down the target with ease. Rizwan Cheema started things off in blistering fashion, striking three fours and two sixes in his seven-ball stay at the crease. Jimmy Hansra and Hiral Patel knocked off the remaining runs without much fuss.

In their second game of the day, Canada emerged victors again, seeing off USA by seven wickets. Fast bowler Calvert Hooper bagged three wickets to help limit USA to 126. Captain Steve Massiah struck 35 but there wasn't a great deal of support from the other end. Massiah rescued his team from a precarious situation at 67 for 6, taking them past three figures. But Canada were too strong, and despite the early loss of their openers, won with little difficulty. Zubin Surkari and Hiral Patel were involved in a 54-run stand for the third wicket, and Sunil Dhaniram finished things off by caning an unbeaten 25 off 13. Victory was achieved with 20 balls to spare. Canada will take on Cayman Islands in the second semi-final at St Georges on June 6.

Bermuda suffered a scare in their chase of 122 against Cayman Islands, but overcame it to win by two wickets in a tense game off the penultimate ball. They had the trio of Steven Outerbridge, captain David Hemp and Janeiro Tucker to thank for getting them past the finish line. Outerbridge and Hemp chipped in with 32 and 33 respectively but got out in fairly quick time. It was Tucker who batted with a struggling tail to guide Bermuda within reach of their target in the last over. He contributed a run-a-ball 24, but was dismissed with two balls left and two runs still to get. No. 10 batsman Rodney Trott struck a boundary off the penultimate ball, however, to seal victory.

A 54-run stand between Kevin Bazil and captain Saheed Mohamed had been the highlight of Cayman Islands' innings, but Tucker's resolve at the death for Bermuda trumped their effort.