ICC Americas Division Four Twenty20

Mexico 130 for 8 (Gupta 57*) beat Falkland Islands 101 for 9 (Collins 22, Marlor 20) by 29 runs

Costa Rica 165 for 5 (Crisp 56, Smith 52) beat Falkland Islands 100 (Crisp 2 for 6) by 65 runs

Mexico will meet Costa Rica in the final of the Americas Division Four Twenty20 event today after both teams won their matches against the Falkland Islands.

The Falklands were forced to play two matches in the same day because of travel issues; there is only one flight a week from Mexico to the Falkland Islands. Although they ended the day winless, they didn’t go down without a fight.

In the day’s first game, Mexico won the toss and elected to bat in very overcast conditions. While the 50-over game against the same opponents was a runaway victory for the hosts, the first T20 between the two teams was much closer.

The Falklands restricted Mexico to 130 for 8 from their 20 overs. That they got even that far was thanks to their captain Tushar Gupta, who made an unbeaten 57 after coming in at number seven. With five overs remaining, Mexico was struggling at 75 for 5, but the Falkland bowlers allowed Gupta to seize the initiative.

In reply, only three Falkland batsmen got into double figures: Martin Collins, with 22 from 29 balls, Richard Marlor, who was 20 not out from 24 balls, and David Hewitt, who crawled to 11 from 27 balls, as the tourists finished with 101 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Costa Rica dominated the second game, quickly dispelling any thoughts the Falklands may have had of duplicating their 50-over triumph. A century second wicket partnership between David Crisp, 56 runs from 38 balls, and Ben Smith, 52 runs from 37 balls, laid the foundation. Chris Prasad chipped in at the end of the innings with 19 runs from 9 balls, as the Costa Ricans piled up 165 for the loss of five wickets.

That target was never in reach for the Falklands, and they eventually folded for 100 with 4.1 overs remaining. Crisp took 2 for 6 to go with his half-century and was duly named man of the match.

The Falkland Islands will next play in a triangular tournament in Fife in the United Kingdom in July.

WCL Americas Region Division Four

Mexico 242 (Sharma 72, Ahuja 53, Sherman 41; Clapp 5 for 34) beat Falkland Islands 31 (Collina 8*; Gupta 6 for 13, Sharma 2 for 10) by 211 runs

Mexico clinched the ICC Americas WCL Division 4 title with a resounding victory over the Falkland Islands by 211 runs on Thursday at the Reforma Athletic Club in Naucalpan, Mexico.

The Falklands won the toss and elected to field, perhaps to give their batsmen time to recover from the celebrations following their victory over Costa Rica a day earlier. However, Falkland’s fielders struggled from the outset, dropping ten catches in the first twenty overs alone.

Given so many opportunities, Mexico threatened to post a mammoth total, reaching 153 for 2 in the 25th over. But the Falkland bowlers led by Kevin Clapp struck back to dismiss Mexico for 242 in 44 overs. Clapp bowled his slow drifters from the southern end with great effect to claim career-best figures of 5 for 34 for from six overs.

The Mexican innings was built around the top four batsmen: Tarun Sharma led the way with 72 from 84 balls, smashing a total of 12 fours. He got good support from Kaushal Ahuja, who made 53 from 38 balls, with his fifty coming of just 35 balls, and Roger Sherman, who made 41 from 60.

Chasing a big total requires a carefully executed plan, but the Falkland batsmen appeared uncertain about what was required of them. With rain looming, none of the bastmen reached double figures as the Falklands were bowled out inside twenty overs. Tushar Gupta, the Mexican captain, took 6 for 13 with his left arm spin, bamboozling the Falkland’s batsmen and securing the championship for the host team.

WCL Americas Region Division Four

Falkland Islands 131 (Pickup 24, Smith 4-32) beat Costa Rica 92 (Smith 24, Taylforth 6-14) by 39 runs


The Falkland Islands blew Costa Rica away on the second day of the Americas Division Four competition at the Reforma Athletic ground in Mexico City on Tuesday. A devastating spell of medium-pace bowling from Falkland Islands’ David Taylforth caused all the damage, as he picked up 6 for 14 and wrapped up the game with a four-wicket maiden which included a hat-trick.

The day started with the Costa Ricans winning the toss and electing to field in cloudy conditions. In the third over, Sam Arthur bowled Falkland Islands’ opening batsman Mike Summers for just 2. Martin Collins then came to the crease and he faired a little better before he too was bowled the same bowler and Falkland Islands were up against it.

The Falkland’s batsmen came to the wicket and left with great regularity and only Charles Hewitt, with a painstaking 21 from 50 balls, and David Pickup, with 24 runs from 53 balls, made any effort to occupy the crease.

The Falkland’s innings folded for 131 runs with 11.3 overs remaining and the game looked all but lost at this stage. Ben Smith returned 4 for 32 from 10 overs to go with his century the day before. He was supported by Tim Baker who took 3 for 29 and Sam Arthur with 2 for 15.

Playing in their first tournament of any kind, Falkland Islands never gave up hope, and the spirit in the team was further lifted in the first over when Taylforth had Tim Baker caught by Collins without a run on the board. Smith threatened to take the game away from Falkland Islands but he went, brilliantly caught at mid-off, to leave the Costa Ricans on 44 for 2.

The Falkland players went to lunch believing they could conjure up an upset and set up a decider with the hosts in Wednesday's game. After lunch the game swayed back and forth until the 29th over. With Costa Rica poised at 92 for 6 and still in need of 39 runs for victory, Falkland Islands needed a hero, and he duly stepped up.

In what one spectator described as the most exhilarating finish to a cricket game, captain and Man-of-the-Match Taylforth came back into the attack from the northern end of the ground, and with his first ball of the over he had Richard Illingworth caught at gully by Ian Betts.

This encouraged Falkland Islands to go on the offensive with two slips, two men in the gully and the rest of the fielders inside the circle. The second ball of the over brought Garth Tweedale forward only to be snapped up by Richard Marlor at one of the two gullies.

This brought in Gary Sheriff with Taylforth on a hat-trick and a perfect, swinging delivery saw Sheriff groping forward and again Marlor in the gully did the honours. The Falkland Islanders jumped and screamed with delight for captain Taylforth but also at the sight of a well-deserved victory.

The fourth ball was a dot ball to last man, Armando Foster, but the fifth was just short of a length and Foster went back but could not keep his hand down. The ball took the glove and looped to Marlor waiting in the same position as the previous two catches. Costa Rica’s innings ended with the score at 92 to give Falkland Islands victory by 39 runs.

Americas Division Four

Mexico 187 for 7 (Garrity 34, Sharma 45, Baker 3-43, Prasad 2-57) beat Costa Rica 186 (Smith 104, Crisp 11; Gupta 5-32) by three wickets

Mexico beat Costa Rica by three wickets with more than 14 overs to spare in the opening game of the Americas Division Four tournament in Mexico City on Sunday.

This was despite the efforts of Man-of-the-Match, Ben Smith, who hit 104 from 127 balls to provide the base for Costa Rica's 186 from 46.5 overs. Smith struck two sixes and 12 boundaries in his stay which lasted for all but the first four balls of the Costa Rican innings. Smith entered in the first over when Barry Ashworth was bowled, and flourished while all around him succumbed to Tushar Gupta (5 for 32) and Tarun Sharma (2 for 28 from 10 overs).

At one stage, Costa Rica were 13 for 4 and then 41 for 5 before Richard Illingworth and Sam Arthur survived long enough with Smith to enable 34 for the sixth wicket and 47 for the seventh wicket to be added. Garth Tweedale (10) and David Crisp (11) were the only batsmen apart from Smith to reach double figures, however their contributions and 36 wides were enough for Costa Rica to reach 186 from 46.5 overs.

Mexico began their run chase in an attacking mindset, notching 59 in nine overs before losing James Garrity who was bowled after hitting 34 in 30 balls including five fours. When Tarundeep Singh was caught by Ashworth for a solid 33, Mexico were 91 for 3 after 17 overs – on target in terms of run-rate but in need of a partnership of substance.

That came from Tarun Sharma (45 from 58 balls including a six and four boundaries) who put on 51 with Theodore Wucherpfennig (14). Cameos from Hugh van Belle (14 from 13 balls) and Roger Sherman (23 from 21 balls) allowed Mexico to ease home with 14.5 overs to spare. Tim Baker was Costa Rica's main wicket-taker, removing Mexico's first three in returning 3 for 43.

On Tuesday, Falkland Islands play their first match against Costa Rica.

Three countries, Mexico, Costa Rica and Falkland Islands make their official debuts at the Americas World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Mexico City this week.

Although their representative teams have been active playing in informal tournaments such as the Central American Championships, this is the first ICC event Mexico and Costa Rica have taken part in. Most recently, Costa Rica played a Colombian XI in April in Bogota while Mexico visited Brazil for a friendly series last July.

It will be a case of going from famine to feast for Falkland Islands, who break their isolation in this tournament and soon after head to Falkland in Fife in the United Kingdom. From July 19 to 24 they will be one of three locations called Falkland to play in a triangular series. The others are Falkland (Fife) and Falkland (Newbury, Berkshire).

Only close followers of Mexican and Costa Rican cricket might be aware cricket in both countries dates back to the 19th century. Both countries have four-team leagues. Mexico has a handful of locally born players while Costa Rica has a couple, that is apart from Limon players who are descendants of West Indians who came to the country in the 1800s to work on the Limon-San Jose railway.

As is becoming the fashion at non-Test tournaments, a Twenty20 event has been added and will follow the 50-over one-day matches.

The venue is the Reforma Club, which apart from its own lush turf wicket, also has a football pitch and tennis courts.

50-overs tournament
Monday, June 14 - Costa Rica v Mexico
Tuesday, June 15 - Falkland Islands v Costa Rica
Wednesday, June 16 - Mexico v Falkland Islands

Twenty20 tournament
Thursday, June 17 - Falkland Islands v Mexico; Costa Rica v Mexico
Friday, June 18 - Mexico v Costa Rica

Suriname 187 for 7 (Ramjohn 40, Baker 30, Seeraj 30) beat Bahamas 186 for 9 (Tappin 63, Weakley 36, Ramjohn 3-21) by three wickets

Panama 184 for 3 (Bhakta 54, Tarajia 50, Chohan 45) beat Turks & Caicos Islands 179 (Caesar 65, Ash 52, Tarajia 5-39) by five runs

The Bahamas captured the ICC Americas Division 2 title despite losing a thriller against Suriname on Saturday. Winning the toss, Suriname elected to field in a match reduced to 35 overs due to a wet ground. Bahamas started nervously, with memories of the previous Division 2 event, and crumbled to 19 for 4 after eight overs.

However, a 71-run fifth wicket stand between Ryan Tappin and Jon Barry (33), got the hosts back on track and helped them finish on 186 for 9.

Suriname lost an early wicket during their chase but steady contributions down the order meant the visitors overhauled the target with nine balls to spare.

It was the second instance when Suriname defeated Bahamas in the final game of a tournament. However, this time, Bahamas had a net run-rate that secured the title and promotion for the Division 1 tournament in Bermuda later this year.

In the second game at Windsor Park, Panama easily won over the Turks and Caicos Islands. Panama's skipper Irfan Tarajia capped off a brilliant tournament with an all-round effort. He captured 5 for 39 and then scored a classic 50 which included five fours and four sixes.

His efforts earned him the Man-of-the-Match award as Panama reached their target with seven wickets intact. For the Turks and Caicos, Rohan Ash and captain Ebbion Caesar led the way in getting them to 193 all out in the 39th over. During the reply, Tarajia was supported by Soyab Chohan and Nilesh Bhakta.

The Bahamas Cricket Association held a wonderful closing ceremony and presentation night for the visiting teams. Brazil, who finished last, had the honour of capturing three of the four individual awards. Bahamas will be promoted to the Division 1 tournament scheduled for Bermuda in May-June, while Brazil will be demoted to Division 3 and will to try to re-qualify for Division 2 next year.

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.

Panama remained undefeated with an easy 111-run win over Brazil on the second day of the Pepsi ICC Americas Division 2 at Windsor Park. Panama elected to bat and after losing their openers on 26, the captain Irfan Tarajia and Soyab Chohan added some stability with a stand of 56. Rajesh Ahir then smashed 79 off 69 balls, with good support from Munaf Kachhalia (41) as Panama posted 291. Rudyard Hartmann had another good day with the ball capturing 3 for 57 while Ravindra Chanchlani took 3 for 36.

Brazil got off to a good start, with their openers Greigor Caisley (49) and Guilherme Lefèvre (28) adding 73. Deodat Randolph top scored with an unbeaten 64 at No.4, but the rest failed to reach double figures as Brazil was dismissed for 180 in the 39th over. Nilesh Bhakta was Panama's best bowler with 3 for 26.

In the other match at Haynes Oval, Suriname breezed past Turks & Caicos Islands with a 109-run victory. Suriname wicketkeeper Anthony Seeraj top scored with an unbeaten 49 to guide them to 263. While there were no large scores, eight batsmen reached double figures.

Turks & Caicos lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 154 in the 35th over. Opener Errion Charles smashed ten fours in his 70, the top score of the innings. Terbhawan Ranjit captured 6 for 41 in 7.2 overs and not surprisingly, was named the Man of the Match for his efforts.

The third day of the tournament will see Brazil playing Suriname at the Haynes Oval, while Turks & Caicos takes on the home side Bahamas at Windsor Park.

Panama 291 (Tarajiya 47, R Ahir 79, Kachhalia 41, Chanchlani 3-36, Hartmann 3-57, Islam 2-69) beat Brazil 180 (Caisley 49, Lefevre 28, Randolph 64*, Bhakta 3-26, Chohan 1-13, Kachhalia 1-14, Vhora 1-18) by 111 runs

Suriname 263 (Sewanan 35, Patrick 30, Gokoel 31, Seeraj 49*, Doughty 2-20, Saunders 2-29, Gilbert 2-53, Brown 2-59) beat Turks & Caicos Islands 154 (Charles 70; Ranjit 6-41, Dudnath 2-22, Gokoel 1-30, Baker 1-42)

Panama 303 (Bhakta 48, Tarajiya 47, Chohan 69; Singh 3-35) beat Suriname 181 (Sewanan 31, Amir 4-28) by 122 runs.

Bahamas 304 (Peters 62, Taylor 40, Tappin 40, Hartman 4 for 57) beat Brazil 112 (Caisley 26, Ekanayake 3-44) by 192 runs.

Expectations of a classic final in the Pepsi ICC Americas Division 2 Championship between Suriname and Bahamas took a sudden change with Suriname going down to a convincing defeat at the hands of Panama on day one of the event. It was the third Americas tournament in a row Panama has beaten Suriname.

Panama won the toss and decided to bat on the artificial surface of Windsor Park. A solid opening partnership of 121 between Nilesh Bhakta (48) and Imran Bulbuia set the stage for a large target. The opening stand was followed by useful contributions from Irfan Tarajia (47) and skipper Soyab Chohan (69) as Panama reached a respectable innings of 303 in its 50 overs. Vishaul Singh remained the most successful bowler for Suriname taking 3-35 in six overs.

The defending champions started their reply in a confident manner with openers Vishaul Singh and Deraj Sewanan putting on 61 in ten overs, but when Singh was dismissed, the rest of the batting line up showed little resistance and it was dismissed for 181 all out in the 40th over. Panama's Sailesh Amir was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-28. With its effective all-round performance on the first day, Panama now joins the Bahamas as the teams to watch for in the Championship.

On the turf wicket at the Haynes Oval, host Bahamas had an easy day against newly-promoted Brazil. The South Americans lost their captain Matt Featherstone to an injury prior to the tournament and it was very obvious his batting talent was sadly missed. Bahamas won the toss and elected to bat on a good strip.

Marc Taylor (40), Ryan Tappin (40) and Jon Barry (47) gave the home side a solid foundation but it was Albert Peters (62), batting at number eight, who entertained the crowd with seven fours and three sixes off 44 balls. Rudyard Hartman was Brazil's most successful bowler taking 4-57. Chasing a target of 305 was never going to be easy for Brazil and it was bowled out to 112 all out in the 33rd over. Greigor Caisley followed his tidy work behind the stumps with a useful 26 with the bat. The home side got a fine bowling performance from Narendra Ekanayake who took 3-44 in five overs.

The second day of the tournament will see Turks and Caicos play Suriname at the Haynes Oval, while Panama tackles Brazil at Windsor Park.

Tony Munro

A place in the Americas Championships in Bermuda in May and boasting rights as the region's top Affiliate nation will be up for grabs when the Americas Division Two tournament starts on Monday. Hosts Bahamas and 2008 Division Two champion Suriname are expected to be the main contenders for the trip to Bermuda, in what will be a continuation of the rivalry from the previous tournament.

Suriname caused a shock when it inflicted a 148-run loss on the tournament favourites in 2008, snaring the Affiliates' spot at the Americas Championships in the process. The South Americans have retained the bulk of that squad, including 19-year-old allrounder Troy Dudnauth, who was player of the tournament. Dudnauth, who also took 5 for 21 against Bahamas, is one of the six Suriname-born players in the squad.

Also returning will be the experienced opener Raj Sewanan, who plays the Suriname off-season in New York, and allrounder Arun Gokoel, who, at 22, is already a veteran of five tournaments and will play a key role in the middle order.

Bahamas will be led by 22-year-old allrounder Gregory Taylor. He will have considerable experience around him, including former captain Narendra Ekanayake, Gary Armstrong, Dwight Weakley and Jonathon Barry. Though aged just 16, Jermaine Adderley has captained the Under-19 team at regional level. In the team's last outing in May 2008, they finished eleventh at the World Cricket League Division Five. Six of the squad are born in the Bahamas.

Another team with a point to prove will be Brazil, making their debut at the regional Division Two level. They qualified with a surprise win over Chile in the Americas Division Three tournament last October. Sadly, they will be without captain and star player Matt Featherstone, who is unavailable. In his absence, opener Greigor Causley will step up to assume the reigns. Paceman Rudyard Hartmann will also be a key member of the attack while brothers Daniel and Alexandre Miziara can be lusty hitters and bowl useful off spin. Brazil includes six players who were born in the country.

Panama finished the 2008 tournament level on points with Suriname and Bahamas and it was only the run-rate which placed them third. They beat Suriname in the last two Division Two tournaments, and could well decide who takes the crown this time. Allrounder Irfan Tarajiya has scored a century at this level and reliable opener Soyab Chohan ensures the Panama innings gets off to a solid start. Peculiarly, five members of the squad have the surname Ahir, but are not related.

Turks & Caicos Islands will be led by opener Ebbon Caesar who has a century against Peru to his credit. Unfortunately, allrounder Donovan Mathews, their best player in the 2008 event, has moved to St. Kitts. Cricket is played on two islands - Providenciales, where there are six teams and Grand Turk, with three. The team's best showing since first appearing in ICC tournaments in 2004 was last year, when they won Division Three on points difference.

In Monday's opening matches, Brazil face Bahamas, while Suriname play Panama. Turks & Caicos Islands have the bye.

Tony Munro

Cuba, the Falkland Islands and the hosts, Mexico, are among the four countries set to make their official debuts at the World Cricket League Americas Division Four next year.

The other participant will be fellow debutante, Costa Rica in the event tentatively scheduled between May and September.

Cuba were to make an international debut of sorts in the 2008 Stanford 20/20 tournament before an embargo by the US Government blocked their involvement.

For the Falkland Islands, it will be one of two tournaments they will play next year. The other is a triangular involving three locations named after Viscount Falkland, the commander of part of the Royalist forces at the Battle of Newbury in 1643 in the English Civil War between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The triangular, to be played at Falkland in Fife from July 19-24 will feature Falkland (Fife), Falkland (Newbury, Berkshire) and the Falkland Islands. The tournament is part of Falkland Fife CC's 150th anniversary celebrations. Incidentally, the islands were named for Viscount Falkland as his son was the Secretary of State for the Admiralty when Captain John Davies sighted the Falkland Islands in 1682.

Meanwhile, in the coming 2009-10 season separate Twenty20 tournaments are to be played at the Islands' capital, Stanley, and military base at Mount Pleasant, with the winners of both meeting in a final. The traditional highlight of the season, the South Atlantic Ashes, between the Governor's XI (representing the civilans) and the Commander of the British Forces XI (representing the military) will be played as a three-match series in January, February and March.

	The Brazilian team celebrate winning the WCL Americas Division 3 tournament © Cricinfo Ltd

Tony Munro

Brazil and Belize won their matches on the final day of the World Cricket League Americas Division 3 tournament in Santiago on Monday, to seal the first and second places respectively. Brazil beat Peru by 18 runs in what was possibly the latter's best performance of the tournament, while the Belize beat hosts Chile by two wickets.

Captain Matthew Featherstone led the charge for Brazil, top scoring with 77 in his team's total of 251 for 6 in 50 overs, while Greigor Caisley (48) and Rubabul Islam (39) provided good back-up. Tony Sanford was the main wicket-taker for Peru, taking 2 for 51 from his 10 overs.

Peru ended the tournament in spirited fashion, managing 233 for 9 in reply. Michael Soulsby was their main contributor with 57, while Ahmed Ansari Nadeem chipped in with 29. Vince Bastick took 4 for 59 from 8.4 overs for Brazil.

Chile captain Simon Shalders won the toss and elected to bat in their battle for second place against Belize. Shalders led the way, top scoring with 59, as Tristan Bradbrook (48) and Guy Hooper (40) lent good support. Belize captain Dirk Sutherland bowled well to take 5 for 32 from nine overs, to keep Chile to 223 for 9 from its 50 overs.

Sutherland performed with the bat as well, staying undefeated on 39, while Robert Casasola (60) provided the backbone to the reply and saw them through with 21 balls to spare. Pablo Meijas was the pick of the Chilean bowlers with 2 for 37.

Scores:

Belize 224 for 8 (Casasola 60, Sutherlund 39*, Mejias 2-37) beat Chile 223 for 9 (Shalders 59, Bradbrook 48, Hooper 40, Sutherland 5-32) by two wickets

Brazil 251 for 6 (Featherstone 77, Caisley 48, Islam 39, Sanford 2-51) beat Peru 233 for 9 (Michael Soulsby 57, Ahmed Ansari Nadeem 29, Bastick 4-59) by 18 runs

	Simon Shalders after making 195 not out against Peru © ICC

Matches on day two of the ICC Americas Division 3 tournament in Santiago were abandoned around 3.00 pm due to persistent showers. Both games started as scheduled but there were insufficient breaks in the rain for them to be completed.

The match between first-round winners, Chile, and Brazil had enough play for Chile to make 31 for 0 from 9.2 overs. The other game involving Peru and Belize had only five overs and Belize made 13 for 1. Both matches will now start afresh on Monday, previously the scheduled reserve day.

Meanwhile, Chile captain Simon Shalders' unbeaten 195 on Saturday against Peru is now (unofficially at least) third on the list of highest individual scores in official ICC cricket at the Associate and Affiliate level. Arshad Ali (United Arab Emirates) made 213 against Brunei in the 2006 ACC Trophy, while Gerrie Snyman (Namibia) hit 196 against the UAE in the 2007 World Cricket League Division 2 tournament. Thanks - Grant Dugmore and Andrew Nixon.

Tony Munro

An unbeaten 195 from captain Simon Shalders launched Chile to a 163-run win over Peru in Santiago in their first game of the World Cricket League Americas Division Three campaign on Friday.

Shalders smashed seven sixes and 24 fours to boost Chile to 323-5 from their 50 overs; Peru only managed 160 in reply. Such was Shalders' dominance that the next best scorer for Chile was Guy Hooper (32), while Tristan Bradbrook (21) also chipped in. Nadeem Ahmed Ansad was the only Peru bowler to hold out against the rampage, taking 1 for 29 from his ten overs.

Peru captain Miles Buesst (32) and Chris Abbott (20) were the main contributors against the Chilean attack led by Kamran Zeb (4-24) and John Fecci (3-23).

Meanwhile, Brazil caused something of an upset when they sneaked home by one wicket with three balls to spare against Belize. Belize batted first to reach 182 from their 50 overs; they recovered from a precarious position at 102 for 8 in 27 overs. Jermaine Pook stayed with the tail score an unbeaten 34 from 80 balls. Deodat Randolph (3-34) was the pick of the Brazil bowlers.

In reply, Brazil slipped to 59 for 4, before a pivotal fifth-wicket partnership of 90 between Randolph (48) and Rubabul Islam (76) lifted them to 149 for 5. Belize counter-attacked to take four wickets, and left Brazil nine wickets down with two runs still needed for victory.

For Belize, Mykelt Anthony (3-31) and Howell Gillett (3-26) were the main wicket-takers.

The winners of Saturday's matches, Chile and Brazil meet on Sunday, as will the losers, Belize and Peru.

Scores:

Chile 323-5 (50 overs) (Simon Shalders 195n.o., Guy Hooper 32, Tristan Bradbrook 21; Nadeem Ahmed Ansad 1-29)

Peru 160 (38.2 overs) (Miles Buesst 32, Chris Abbott 20; Kamran Zeb 3-32, John Fecci 4-24)

Belize 183 (42.5 overs) (Jermaine Pook 34n.o.; Deodat Randolph 3-43)

Brazil 187-9 (49.3 overs) (Rubabul Islam 76, Deodat Randolph 48; Howell Gillett 3-26, Mykelt Anthony 3-31)

Tony Munro

The latest regional qualifying tournament for the World Cricket League kicks off on Friday when Americas Division Three involving hosts, Chile, Belize, Brazil and Peru commences in Santiago.

There'll be a touch of deja vu for three of the four teams - Chile, Brazil and Peru. This will be the third tournament where they have met in 12 months. Last October, all four teams met when Americas Division Three was staged, while the South American Championships brought three of the teams together earlier this year.

Chile go into the tournament arguably as favourites due to a combination of home advantage and recent results against the same opposition - they finished above these three teams in the corresponding tournament last year, and ahead of Brazil and Peru at the South American Championships.

Three of the four teams have locally born players in their squad - Belize, adjacent to the Caribbean, is totally home grown; Brazil has five and Chile four.

Chile are led by last year’s Player-of-the-Tournament, Simon Chalders, in a squad which contains five all-rounders - Ian Walker, Jim Scarbrough and Michael Meade, Thomas Dawes and Christian Eyzaguirre. Spinner Pablo Mejias and opening bowler Tristan Bradbrook are the other two locally born players in the squad.

Peru are hopeful of at least equalling their one win in last year's Americas Division Three tournament, thanks to a training schedule which is aimed at increasing their players’ agility in areas such as running between wickets.

There is further information about the Belize and Brazil squads here.

Draw:

Friday, October 9 - Chile v Peru, Belize v Brazil

Saturday, October 10 - Chile v Brazil, Belize v Peru

Monday, October 12 - Chile v Belize, Peru v Brazil


Chile: Simon Chalders (Capt.), Guy Hooper, Michael Meade, Ian Walker, James Scarborough, Stephen Foot, Kamran Zeb, Joseph Williams, Tristan Bradbrook, John Fecci, Pablo Meijias, Christian Hesketh, Christian Eyzaguirre, Thomas Dawes

Peru: Miles Buesst (Capt.), Harry Hildebrand, Chris Abbott, Julian Walter, Anthony Sanford, Simon Walter, John Bell, Manoj Rana, Nadeem Ansari, Dinesh Ekanayake, Hans de Wit, Chris Hodgson, Michael Soulsby.

Tony Munro

Brazil warmed up for the World Cricket League Americas Division Three tournament starting in Santiago on Friday with a 3-0 one-day series win over Mexico in São Paulo last weekend. Brazil won the first two matches fairly easily, but the dead rubber was more even, Mexico falling just 16 runs short.

In the first match, Brazil captain Matt Featherstone showed good form ahead of the Americas Division Three tournament in Santiago, Chile, hitting an unbeaten 100. The former Kent Cricket Board player received solid support from Greigor Caisley (56) and Rubab Ulisam (52 not out). Spinners Travis McNaught (4-3 in the second game) and Viren Nirula (six wickets in the third match) also bowled well in the series for Brazil.

There are six Brazilian nationals in the squad to play in Santiago, among them Henrique Dolabella, an allrounder who became interested in cricket while living in England for several years and played a few seasons of club cricket.

Leading the Brazilian attack will be Ravi Chanchlani, the leading wicket-taker in the 2008 event, while the Miziara brothers, Alexandre and Daniel, can both wield a heavy bat and send down some useful off-spin.

Brazil: Matt Featherstone (Captain), Norman Baldwin, Vincent Bastick, Greigor Caisley, Henrique Dolabella, Rudyard Hartmann, Rubabul Islam, Chaudhari Vishnubhai Kantilal, Guilherme Lefevre, Alexandre Miziara, Daniel Miziara, Chanchlani Ravindrakumar Pahilajrai, Deodat Randolph, Fasih Uddin

Meanwhile, Belize has retained the bulk of the side which finished third in last year's WCL Americas Division 3 tournament. Dirk Sutherland remains at the helm of a squad which includes 11 players who also appeared in the 2008 tournament.

Belize's only tournament experience since then was at the Central American Championships in April where they finished third after losing to Panama and Mexico. The tournament does not have official ICC status and it is not known whether the Belize squad was near full-strength.

Belize: Dirk Sutherland (Capt.), Kenroy Roca, Percy Flowers, Warren Anthony, Conway Young, Dorian Gabb, Kene Broaster, Howell Gillett, Winston Flowers, Mykett Anthony, Robert Casasola, Lloyd Casasola, Jermaine Pook, Joseph Gillett.

Tony Munro

Chile began their preparations for the World Cricket League Americas Division 3 tournament next month with a seven-wicket loss to an Argentina Under-25 team in a Twenty20 game in Santiago on Friday.

The bright spots for Chile were the performances of national U-19 players Cristian Eyzaguirre and Tristan Bradbrook - Eyzaguirre took one of the three Argentinian wickets to fall, while Bradbrook hit a useful 21.

Bowling had been identified as a potential weakness for the hosts and this was the case as the visitors struck 150, and losing just three wickets in its 20 overs. Alejo Tisera (46), Carlos Gibson (38) and David Mauro (29) were the main contributors for Argentina A.

In reply, Chile managed 127 for 7 with captain Simon Shalders (27), Hector Fuenzalida (24), Bradbrook (21) and Kamram Zeb (18) chipping in.

Two 50-over matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday, also in Santiago. Chile play Belize, Brazil and Peru in the WCL Division 3 tournament from October 9-12 in Santiago.

On day two of the ICC Americas WCL Division Two Championship, Bahamas virtually ensured they would claim the title and promotion to the Americas Division One tournament later in the year, when they beat a spirited Panama by six wickets.

Strong favourites at the outset, Bahamas were made to work hard by the organised Panama outfit, and there were moments throughout the contest when Panama had a chance.

After electing to bat first at Snellen Park, Panama made a confident start and by the 32nd over were in a strong position at 141 for 3. Openers Soyab Chohan (30) and Nilesh Bhakta (37) added 52, and a total of 250 was on the cards. However the introduction of Jonathan Barry turned the innings around. With his second ball he removed Irfan Tarajia (27) and proceeded to wreck the middle and lower order, finishing with outstanding figures of 5 for 14 from four overs as Panama lost their last seven wickets for 13.

Still, Panama came out in determined fashion and grabbed a wicket with the first ball of the run chase. But Marc Taylor took the game away from Panama with a swashbuckling 52 off 36 balls. Howard Roye weighed in with 33 as Bahamas raced home in just 18 overs.

On the neighbouring Owru Kul ground, hosts Suriname revived their challenge with a 112-run victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, after choosing to bat first, it looked as though the Turks and Caicos team were heading for the points when they reduced Suriname to 106 for 7 after 22 overs.

Wayne Williams spun Suriname into deep trouble with an impressive 10-over spell which brought 5 for 40. With their team in trouble two Surinamese teenagers, Douglas Charles and Arun Gokoel, batted with enormous maturity and tenacity to add a 115 for the eighth wicket. Their efforts lifted Suriname to 249 for 8, but Turks and Caicos didn’t go down without a fight.

While Donavan Matthew was at the crease the game was in the balance. However, with his dismissal for a fine run-a-ball 73, legspinner Troy Dudnauth stepped into the spotlight and mystified the remainder of the batting, taking 4 for 29 to give.

The final round of fixtures has Suriname taking on Bahamas, while Panama will play the Turks & Caicos Islands next door at Owru Kul. Suriname will need an extraordinarily comprehensive win to have any chance of overtaking the Bahamas on net run rate, and will also be hoping for a Turks & Caicos win over Panama, which would give the hosts second place no matter what their result against Bahamas.

On the first day in the ICC Americas WCL Division Two Championship, taking place in Paramaribo, Suriname, the hosts failed in an exciting run-chase to overcome a tidy Panama side, while strong pre-tournament favourites Bahamas hammered the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Playing on the impressive new Owru Kul oval, Suriname won the toss and looked to have made the best of the decision by reducing Panama to 26 for 3 after deciding to bowl. However man of the match Irfan Tarajia put up stubborn resistance while mixing caution and aggression, to register the first century of the tournament. Tarajia made 102 off 147 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes.

The only other meaningful contribution came from Jatin Amir, who made 27 and shared in a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 69 with Tarajia before departing in the 32nd over. Tarajia was eventually the eighth wicket to fall, but had steered Panama to a more than respectable total of 251 for 9, especially on a ground with a heavy outfield after overnight rain.

Suriname were left to rue a dismal performance in the field, dropping at least six catches and sending down 40 wides. Carlos Baker was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 47 in eight overs.

Suriname made a steady start, reaching 102 for 1 in the 25th over, before the innings fell apart as they lost four wickets in quick succession and stumbled to 116 for 5. The match swung again as captain Sanjai Meghoe (29) and Troy Dudnauth (35) put Suriname back in the game with a sixth-wicket partnership of 57, and a tense finish was on the cards. However with the run out of Meghoe their challenge subsided and they were eventually all out for 220 in the 46th over.

In the other game of day one strong favourites Bahamas were in rampant mood as they raced to a nine-wicket victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands, reaching their simple target of 80 in 7.5 overs.

Turks and Caicos Islands found themselves in early trouble with both openers removed without scoring. Donavan Matthews (29) put up some, but no other batsman reached double figures as the innings ended in 22 overs. Lee Melville was the pick of the Bahamas bowlers with 3 for 25, while Roderick Mitchell and Andrew Ford also bowled well.

With one eye on approaching rain clouds, and the other perhaps on possible future net run-rate equations, Bahamas blasted their way to victory, led by Howard Roye’s 22 off five balls with 22 off five balls

The winner of this event will be promoted to the Americas Division One Championship, while the team finishing fourth will be relegated to Americas Division Three.

Bermuda won the World Cricket League Americas Division 1 Championship for the first time. Canada has two previous wins and the USA won once. Bermuda took the title thank's to Canada's ten-wicket win over the USA last Saturday. The Cayman Islands beat Argentina on Saturday and this ensured they qualify for the Global Division 3 section of the World Cricket League in 2007.

Bermuda and Canada had already qualified for the Global World Cricket League (WCL) Division 1 as a result of their rankings in the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland. WCL Division 1 is in Kenya in January 2007. The USA will be in WCL Global Division 3.

Bermuda ended the Americas championship with three wins and one no-result for a total of 14 points. USA were second (two wins, one loss, one no result for 10 points). Canada came third edging out Cayman Islands on net run-rate (difference betwen rate of a team scoring runs when batting, and conceding runs when bowling). Both teams had two wins and two losses. Argentina came last with five losses.

The player of the tournament was US captain Steve Massiah, who also won the batting award for his 283 runs in 4 matches. Ronald Ebanks (Cayman) took the bowling award for 10 wickets. Bermuda took the fielding prizes with Stephen Outerbridge (fielder) and Kwame Tucker (wicketkeeper) getting the honours. Regular Bermuda wicketkeeper Dean Minors had to return home due to an illness in the family.

	John Davison watches his match-winning stroke go to the boundary to give Canada a 10-wicket win over USA © Eddie Norfolk

Davison won the toss and put USA in to bat, which proved to be a fine decision and the Canadian bowling contained the might of the USA top order, who had pummeled the bowlers in their previous matches.

Davison came on to bowl in the twelfth over and immediately bowled Gowkaran Roopnaraine for 25. Three balls later, Steve Massiah was run out in a mix-up and the most prolific scorer in the tournament was dismissed. Davison brought fast bowler Steve Welsh back into the attack and Welsh struck twice in two balls to remove Lennox Cush and Desai. USA were left tottering at 65 for the loss of 6 wickets.

Davison, and Kevin Sandher, a slow left-arm bowler, then mopped up the tail to dismiss USA for 116. The last four wickets fell with a replacement ball after Imran Awan had lofted a ball from Sandher out of the ground.

Davison and opener Sandeep Jyoti – who strung together a useful partnership the previous day against Argentina - combined well before the luncheon interval to leave Canada at 104 for no loss. Davison played the winning shot shortly after the interval to finish with an unbeaten 62, which included six fours and a six. Jyoti was unbeaten on 44.

This match concluded Canada's home international program for the year. The team is scheduled to tour South Africa in November for a tri-series with Bermuda and the Netherlands. That will be the start of the winter campaign leading to the World Cup in March 2007.

Eddie Norfolk

	Sushil Nadkarni cuts during his 83 against Bermuda © Eddie Norfolk

A partnership of 168 runs in 24 overs between Sushil Nadkarni (83) and captain Steve Massiah (81) set the USA on their way to a large total but two rain interruptions meant their innings was eventually deemed to have closed after the second stoppage. The USA made 213 for 4 in just under 35 overs.

Bermuda have completed their matches and end with three wins and a no result. The championship depends on the outcome of the USA v Canada game that is being played on Saturday at King City. A win for the USA might give them the championship, depending on overall run rate. The USA has two wins and this no result going into their final match.

Eddie Norfolk

Canada won their first game of the tournament, beating Argentina by 9 wickets in a rain interrupted match. Canada were required to score 137 in 33 overs, following a disruption to their innings. John Davison, the captain, made an attacking 53 off 34 balls and Sandeep Jyoti made an undefeated 46 in miserable conditions. Canada bowled fairly tidily in restricting Argentina to 182 for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. Opening bowler Steve Welsh bowled a tidy spell, conceding just 18 runs in his 10 overs and picking up two wickets. Alejandro Ferguson top-scored for Argentina with an unbeaten 49.

Eddie Norfolk

The United States cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Argentina on the third day of the Americas Championship at Maple Leaf CC in Toronto, Canada, and in doing so set up a potential championship decider with Bermuda on Friday.

Sent in to bat, Argentina started disastrously, losing their first two wickets in the very first over to paceman Imran Awan. It was a continued uphill struggle from then for the Argentine batsmen against a sharp USA attack, and it was only thanks to a gritty 6th wicket partnership of 59 between Donny Forrester and Alejandro Ferguson that steered Argentina towards respectability.

Forrester eventually ended with 43, from 75 balls, with five fours, while Ferguson scored a well-deserved half-century, making 57 from 83 balls with five fours and a six. Argentina's innings closed on 182 in the 49th over.

For the USA pacemen Iwan, with 3 for 51, and Khawaja Shuja, with 2 for 22, did the initial damage, while spinner Lennox Cush bowled well to end with 2 for 30.

Although a respectable target set by Argentina, it was never going to be enough against a powerful USA top-order, despite a spirited opening burst from the Argentine seamers.
With the USA at 64 for 3, and first-day centurion Sushil Nadkarni back in the pavilion, there was a sniff of another giant-killing act in the tournament.

But captain Steve Massiah and Lennox Cush had other ideas, and their 120 run undefeated 4th wicket partnership saw the USA home with 22 overs to spare. Massiah continued his fine form with the bat, scoring an undefeated 54 off 59 balls, with 7 fours, while Cush, later named man of the match, scored a blistering 73 not out off only 42 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes.

Seamers Gary Savage, 1 for 37 in 8 overs, and Steven Nino, 1 for 34 in 8 overs, bowled well to test the USA top order, but Argentina ultimately did not score anywhere near enough in their innings.

The USA now face unbeaten Bermuda on Friday in a key clash. A Bermudan victory will clinch the title for them for the first time in their history, while a USA victory will keep the championship chase alive into the final day on Saturday.

	Bermuda's Lionel Cann slams one of his five sixes during his undefeated 139 © Eddie Norfolk

Canada were bowled out for 187 runs. The main feature of the innings was a stand of 93 for the ninth wicket between George Codrington and Steve Welsh.

Canada reached 25 before Sundeep Jyoti was out. Wickets then tumbled and half the side was out before 50 runs were on the board.

One of the Cayman Islands camp had been overheard during the morning session saying he hoped Canada would be restricted to 120 runs or less. However, Steve Gordon and Perason Best lead the way to victory.

Canada’s coach Andy Pick said that " the selectors had stressed at the start of the week that winning the Americas tournament was a secondary consideration and that they wanted to look at certain players."

There were plenty of runs in the other Americas match played at Maple Leaf CC on Tuesday. Bermuda beat Argentina by 109 runs. Bermuda scored 371 runs for the loss of three wickets. The major feature was an unbroken stand of 202 runs for the fourth wicket between Kwame Tucker, who scored 100 not out, and Lionel Cann, who scored 139 nor out. Cann has showed his hitting power in matches against Canada this season, but really flowered in the final over against Argentina. He hit five sixes and a two, making 32 runs off that over.

Janeiro Tucker made 79 in a stand of 128 runs for the second wicket with Kwame Tucker. Kwame Tucker hit 10x4 and 1x6. Cann scored his runs off 88 balls.

Argentina had a spirited reply of 262 runs for 5 in their 50 overs. Opening batsman Lucas Pateruni was their top scorer with 70.

Eddie Norfolk