Argentina ease past Suriname

Argentina set up an interesting final day clash with the the Bahamas to see who wins the ICC Americas WCL Division 2 championship, and gain passage to Division 1 later in the year, after easing past a determined Suriname outfit on day five. The big guns of the tournament reached 153 for 5 to win by 5 wickets, after the promoted Division 3 winners had posted a score of 150 for 9 in their 50 overs.

In saying that, there were indeed moments where it might have all been different, but in the end perhaps the experience and greater class of Argentina told at critical moments. Suriname certainly started well, not showing any signs of nerves in their first-ever clash against an Associate country at official international level. Openers Sanjay Meghoe (20) and Deoraj Sewanan (42, with 6 fours in 68 balls) put on 44 for the first wicket, and indeed Suriname moved to 75 in the 24th over before Argentine pressure started to break through. Bustling seamer Diego Lord took the second Surinamese wicket in his second over, and the introduction of spinners Hernan Pereyra and captain Billy MacDermott changed the course of the innings.

Suriname slid to 93 for 6 by the 31st over, and after that it was a case of lower order grit and determination to bat through the overs and post something meaningful to give their bowlers a chance. Oemraw (21) and Mangal added 47 valuable runs for the 7th wicket, and in the end, Suriname closed their innings after 50 overs on 150 for 9.

For Argentina, Diego Lord (3 for 25) continued his excellent bowling form, while MacDermott returned fine figures of 2 for 14 in 10 overs. Pereyra finished with 2 for 44 in his 10 over spell.

There was drama at the start of the Argentine run-chase, when they were reduced to 10 for 2 after 8 absorbing overs, and a huge upset was certainly on the cards. But South African-born Gary Savage and the calmly experienced Donny Forrester kept out everything Suriname tried whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking over, and when Savage finally departed 99 runs later, it was 109 for 3 after 26 overs, and the game was all but won.

Savage made 56 (79 balls, 6 fours), and was later named man of the match, while Forrester contributed 44 (52 balls, 3 fours & 2 sixes). Although Suriname snapped up another quick wicket, Siri and Irigoyen made sure there was no last-minute drama, and Argentina clinched the game at 153 for 5 after 36,5 overs.

Now they must face-off against the Bahamas in a winner-takes-all clash at Hurlingham, a contest between two contrasting styles, and it promises to be a day of exceptional and absorbing cricket.