Bermuda 432 for 6 (Hemp 143*, Mukuddem 89*, Outerbridge 80, ten Doeschate 3-108) lead Netherlands 378 by 54 runs

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AN unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 213 between David Hemp and Saleem Mukuddem turned a likely first innings deficit into a lead of 54 for Bermuda, on the third day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands at the L.C. DeVilliers Oval in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday.

Hemp, the current Glamorgan captain, faced 231 balls, with his century coming off 158 deliveries, and struck 20 fours and six as he turned the Bermuda innings around from a rocky 219 for six.

However, Hemp would not have been able to cream the bowler without the support of Mukuddem who made his second first-class half-century. He is now just 11 short of a maiden century having faced 182 balls.

The mammoth stand has ensured Bermuda are virtually safe from defeat, a prospect that was far less certain when Ryan ten Doeschate, another county professional with Essex, struck twice during the morning session. He removed Clay Smith and Steven Outerbridge, who only added 19 to his overnight 61.

But Hemp, who reached as far as England A level earlier in his career, used his years of experience as the Netherlands attack was made to toil after their earlier success. The website Cricinfo said yesterday: "If he (Hemp) can maintain this form Bermuda's prospects over the coming months may not be as bleak as previously thought."

Meanwhile Bermuda will play their first ODI against Canada on Monday and then on Tuesday they take on the Netherlands with the second ODI against Canada scheduled for next Thursday.

Following a rest day next Friday, Bermuda will take on the Netherlands in the ODI match on Saturday, December 2.

The squad then returns to the island on December 5.

The main force of Canada's squad to face the Netherlands and Bermuda in ODI matches next week, and the Netherlands in a subsequent ICC Intercontinental Cup match arrived in Pretoria on Wednesday. They took part in a fitness workout during the afternoon and had a look to see the progress of the Netherlands-Bermuda Intercontinental Cup match.