Suriname, Bahamas post thumping wins

Tony Munro

Suriname 384 for 5 (Singh 159, Sewanan 73, Vishram 47, Dudnath 31*; Hartmann 3-77) beat Brazil 220 for 6 (Caisley 45, Islam 27, Lefebvre 67*, Ramjohn 3-34) by 164 runs

Bahamas 363 for 4 (M Taylor 141, Barry 117, Weakley 40, Gilbert 2-62) beat Turks & Caicos Islands 173 for 4 (Ash 60, Browne 54*; Armstrong 2-35) by 190 runs

Three centuries highlighted an avalanche of runs as Suriname and Bahamas scored emphatic wins on day three of the Americas Division Two tournament in Nassau, Bahamas on Wednesday.

Over 1100 runs were scored as Suriname thrashed newcomers Brazil by 164 runs and Bahamas walloped Turks & Caicos Islands by 190 runs. Interestingly, the team batting first has won every game by at least 100 runs in the tournament so far.

Vishaul Singh's 159 off 118 balls was not only the highest individual score of the tournament, but a Surinamese record in non-Test limited-overs internationals. His innings included 20 fours and three sixes as he propelled Suriname to 387 for 5 in 50 overs. Singh combined with Raj Sewanan (73) in an opening partnership of 137 to set the platform. Rudyard Hartmann was Brazil's main wicket-taker with 3 for 77. Brazil replied in spirited fashion, despite captain Greigor Causley (45) being run out. Middle-order batsman Guilherme Lefebvre hit nine fours in his unbeaten 71-ball 67 which typified Brazil's fighting attitude. Shazam Ramjohn took 3 for 34 for Suriname but Singh picked up the Man-of-the-Match award.

There was even more big hitting in the other match on the artificial surface at Windsor Park as Bahamas left-hand opener Marc Taylor smashed 141 runs off just 88 balls. His innings included six fours and 11 sixes, but he had a like-minded ally in Jonathon Barry who hit 117 off 132 balls. Along the way, Barry struck 13 fours and two sixes as he combined with Taylor for a third-wicket partnership of 147, which lifted Bahamas to 363 for 4. Turks & Caicos opted to avoid embarrassment and bat out their 50 overs, compiling 173 for 4 thanks to 60 from Rohan Ash and Douglas Browne's unbeaten 54.

Meanwhile, Panama enjoyed a bye and following Thursday's general rest day, they should be fresh for its crucial encounter on Friday with the other unbeaten team, Bahamas. Last place should be decided as well with Turks & Caicos facing Brazil.