Debutants star in Canada victory

Canada 260 for 7 (David 48, Trott 2-50) beat Bermuda 235 for 8 (Douglas 69, David 2-30) by 25 runs
Scorecard

Canada's three debutants were the stars as their team opened the tri-series with a 25-run victory over Bermuda, who also relied heavily on a first-gamer. Sent in at No. 3 in the chase, Chris Douglas, 18, guided Bermuda with a promising 69 but when he fell with 71 still needed, the hosts locked down the Bermuda lower order.

After being sent in at King City, Canada got away to a flyer with one of their new players, Rizwan Cheema, slamming three sixes in his 24-ball 34. It was a dangerous start for Bermuda, who were going at ten an over until Stefan Kelly broke the opening stand with the score on 53.

Tight bowling from Dwayne Leverock helped slow the run-rate - he finished with 1 for 20 from his ten overs - but Bermuda struggled to get a run of wickets and Manoj David's 48 from 82 deliveries proved a frustration. When Canada lost David, playing his first one-day international at the age of 33, in the 42nd over there was a risk the tail could undo much of Canada's hard work.

But the third of their debutants, Karun Jethi, piled on three sixes in his unbeaten 46 from 36 balls. He combined with Harvir Baidwan (21 not out) for an important 73-run stand that ensured a strong total of 260 for 7.

Bermuda began solidly, if not as frantically as Canada, and a 90-run partnership from Douglas and Jekon Edness made the target seem perfectly gettable. However, Cheema proved not just a promising opener but also a handy bowler when he had Edness caught for 45.

At 123 for 2 it meant Bermuda needed Douglas to anchor the innings, but a pair of wickets each to David and Jethi left too much work for Bermuda's lower order. When Douglas departed, bowled by Jethi in the 41st over, the game slipped out of reach for Bermuda, who must now beat West Indies on Wednesday to have any chance of reaching the final.