Cayman Islands win by five wickets

Cayman Islands completed a five-wicket win against Argentina in Pianoro on the reserve day, following an abandonment on Sunday because of rain.

Argentina's batsmen struggled to get going after they were sent in and wickets fell at regular intervals. Opener Pablo Ferguson, who toiled for 121 balls for 37, was one of only two batsmen to pass 30. The other was Gary Savage, whose 33 was brisker, coming off 45 balls. The others failed to contribute substantially and Argentina were restricted to 160 for 8 in 50 overs. Conroy Wright and Ryan Bovell took two wickets each for Cayman Islands but it was Marlon Bryan who had best figures of 3 for 32.

Cayman Islands' chase of a modest target got off to a horrific start with both openers falling for first-ball ducks. The innings was floundering at 4 for 2 when Pearson Best launched a brazen counterattack, clobbering 55 off 32 balls, an innings that included three sixes and seven fours. By the time he fell, bowled by Diego Lord, Cayman Islands had scored 64 in ten overs and the chase was back on track. Two more wickets fell, reducing the innings to 95 for 5, but Bovell chipped in with the bat as well, scoring an unbeaten 53. He was supported by Ronald Ebanks, who made 30 not out, as Cayman Islands reached the target with 102 balls to spare.

"It was great to secure our first win today and against a side we know well in the form of Argentina. We played them in the ICC Americas tournament in Bermuda recently and lost so it was good to be victorious on this occasion," said Bovell. "I think we played good disciplined cricket and stayed focused on our game plan and ended up executing it well. We now need to maintain the momentum of today's win into tomorrow's fixture against the USA."