Hemp shows his class to rescue Bermuda

Bermuda 432 for 6 (Hemp 143*, Mukuddem 89*, Outerbridge 80, ten Doeschate 3-108) lead Netherlands 378 by 54 runs
Scorecard

David Hemp and Saleem Mukuddem return after their unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 213 © Eddie Norfolk

An unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 213 between David Hemp and Saleem Mukuddem turned a likely first-innings deficit into a lead of 54 for Bermuda on the third day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands. Barring something remarkable tomorrow, this fightback all but ends Netherlands' hopes of progressing to the final.

Hemp, the current Glamorgan captain, is now plying his trade with Bermuda - the country of his birth - when his commitments allow and showed the value of having professional players in the team. He faced 231 balls, with his century coming off 158 deliveries, and struck 20 fours and six as he turned the Bermuda innings around from a rocky 219 for 6.

However, Hemp would not have been able to cream the bowler without the support of Mukuddem who made his second first-class half-century. He is now just 11 short of a maiden century having faced 182 balls.

The mammoth stand has ensured Bermuda are virtually safe from defeat, a prospect that was far less certain when Ryan ten Doeschate, another county professional with Essex, struck twice during the morning session. He removed Clay Smith and Steven Outerbridge, who only added 19 to his overnight 61.

But Hemp, who reached as far as England A level earlier in his career, used his years of experience as the Netherlands attack was made to toil after their earlier success. If he can maintain this form Bermuda's prospects over the coming months may not be as bleak as previously thought.