Suriname clinch tense win over Belize

In the closest contest of the Americas Division 2 tournament, Suriname scored an important victory over Belize by 16 runs at the Hurlingham Club. In a game between tow evenly matched sides, fortunes swung throughout the day, but in the end it was perhaps the greater discipline of the Surinamese that swung the balance. Not that they didn't try and gift-wrap the game for Belize, dropping a couple of simpler and simple catches as the game went into an interesting finale.

Suriname were put in to bat by Belize, and they got away to a very solid start, with partnerships of 36 and 57 moving them to 93 for 2 after 23 overs. The top-order of Deoraj Sewanan (38), Sanjay Meghoe (22) and top-scorer B Prasad (41) all batted confidently to give Suriname a sound foundation.

However the Belize bowling attack, spearheaded by Landis Wade (4 for 21) and Pradeep Perera (2 for 43) pegged Suriname back, and a continuous flow of wickets saw Suriname bowled out for 182 in 46,2 overs, perhaps leaving them a little disappointed they did not pass the 200 mark.

In reply, Belize slipped to 29 for 2, but a 51 run third wicket partnership between Eldon Wade (33) and Clarence Anthony (31) looked to be resting the initiative fairly and squarely with the Belizeans. Wily left-arm spinner Surujpaul Mangal (2 for 43) dismissed both danger-men, and suddenly Suriname fought back, with S.Oemraw claiming 3 middle-order wickets (3 for 29) to leave the contest on a tightrope with Belize at 133 for 6, needing another 50 runs to win in 11 overs remaining, but with only 4 wickets remaining.

A couple of dropped catches from Suriname were not costly as Belize played a few indiscreet shots, also adding a run out, but a tense 25 run ninth wicket partnership again brought the Belizeans back from the brink. Suriname added four wild overthrows in the gathering intrigue, but Shazam Ramjohn finally bowled D Rhaburn and Belize were all out for 166 (46,4 overs) and Suriname were victorious by 16 runs.

Thus the promoted Division 3 champions had taken a big step towards retaining their new Division 2 status, while Belize will now have their work cut out against Panama in a last-ditch effort to stay in the Second Division.&