World Cricket League gets off to thrilling start

The World Cricket League Division Three got off to an action-packed start in Darwin on Sunday.

Italy scrambled to a one-run victory over Argentina after Argentina had seemed to be strolling to victory when 159 for 5 chasing 176 to win. But the Italians grabbed five wickets for 15 runs, including the last four wickets for three runs, as Argentina were bowled out for 174. Din Alaud was the most successful bowler with 3 for 29 while Troy Crosland bagged 2 for 15. Donald Forrester was Argentina's top-scorer, scoring 66 in 83 balls with six fours and a six.

Christopher Amini's unbeaten 71 held Papua New Guinea's innings together as they defeated Fiji by one-wicket. PNG, chasing a victory target of 139, were seemingly down and out as they slipped to 105 for 8 and then 125 for 9. But Amini batted sensibly before hitting the winning boundary off the penultimate delivery.

The opening pair of Steve Gordon and Ainsley Hall stroked unbeaten centuries to steer Cayman Islands to an easy 10-wicket victory over Tanzania. Gordon hit a 119-ball 104 laced with 12 fours and a six and Hall faced 150 balls for his 100 with 10 fours and three sixes as the Cayman Islands achieved victory target with 26 balls to spare. Tanzania, put into bat, made 206 for 6 with Athumani Kakonzi top scoring with a 105-ball 82. Shaheed Dhanani contributed 38. For the Cayman Islands, Ronald Ebanks snapped up 3 for 40.

An allround performance by skipper Joel Olwenya steered Uganda to an easy 90-run victory over last year's ACC Cup runners-up Hong Kong. Olwenya top scored with 60 in Uganda's 219 for 5 and then picked up 3 for 15 as Hong Kong were dismissed for 129 in 36.5 overs.

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