Bahamas on top

The Bahamas moved to the top of the ICC Americas WCL Division 2 table after day three in Buenos Aires with a comfortable 5 wicket victory over a valiant but obviously weary Suriname side. The Division 3 champions were making their first appearance in the tournament only hours after arriving in Argentina.

At Hurlingham, after being asked to bat first, Suriname started well enough, although cautiously, reaching 42 for 1 after 18 overs. But they failed to capitalise on the steady start, with wickets falling at regular intervals, and no batting pair able to consolidate with a meaningful partnership, and they were eventually all out for 150 in the 47th over.

Coming in at number seven, all-rounder Shazam Ramjohn top-scored with a bright 29 off only 26 balls, but no other batsman got past the 20 mark. For the Bahamas, star in the field was wicket-keeper Greg Taylor Jnr., who accumulated 4 stumpings and a catch, and was later named man of the match. His outstanding performance was backed up by some accurate bowling, especially Narendra Ekanayake (4 for 20 in 8 overs) and Sean Brathwaite (3 for 45 in 8), while Venris Bennett weighed in with 2 for 22 in his full allotment of 10 overs.

Some aggressive batting, perhaps aided by a tiring bowling line-up, saw the Bahamas race to the victory target in only 26,3 overs, reaching 153 for 5. Opener Dwight Weakley top-scored with 41 (57 balls, 6 fours), and good contributions came from Ekanayake (28), Dannovan Morrison (25) and Mario Ford (21). Medium-pacer Kidram Seenanan bowled tidily to pick up 3 for 30, while veteran left-arm spinner Surujpaul Mangal picked up the other 2 wickets to fall, finishing with 2 for 24.

This second Bahamian victory sees them move to the top of the Division 2 table, equal on points with hosts Argentina, but sporting a superior net run rate.

Tomorrow they will look to make it three out of three against Panama at Corimayo, while Suriname, after a night of rest, will perhaps be refreshed to take on Belize, in what may be a crucial game in the relegation stakes by the end of the week.

The rest of the weeks schedule is as follows:
Friday 7 April: Argentina vs Suriname (Hurlingham), Belize vs Panama (Corimayo) Saturday 8 April: Argentina vs Bahamas (Hurlingham), Panama vs Suriname (Corimayo)