Bermuda 275

Half centuries from openers Clay Smith and Dean Minors plus valuable contributions from all of the top order fired Bermuda to a challenging total of 275 for eight in their World One-Day League clash against Ireland at the Jaffrey's Sports Ground in Nairobi today.

Having capitulated to 133 all out in a 10-wicket defeat to Kenya in their opening match, this marked a huge improvement for the Bermuda team as they posted their highest one-day total for several months.

Put into bat after losing the toss, Smith and Minors gave the side a cracking start with an opening partnership of 79, Smith dominating the early overs as he walloped two sixes and seven fours against the pace attack before being trapped lbw for 52.

Minors, initially playing an anchor role, came out of his shell to blast 51 while Irving Romaine made 26, Lionel Cann 44 and David Hemp 35.

Ireland, beaten yesterday in a last-ball thriller against Scotland, like Bermuda are desperate for victory to keep alive their hopes of reaching next week's final.

Bermuda made no changes from the side that was defeated by Kenya on Monday.

SCOREBOARD

Bermuda innings

Clay Smith lbw K.McCallan 52

Dean Minors c and b A.White 51

Irving Romaine c K.O'Brien b A.White 26

Lionel Cann c K.McCallum b K.O'Brien 44

David Hemp c K.Carroll b K.O'Brien 35

Janeiro Tucker b A.Botha 12

Saleem Mukuddem c W.Rankin b A.Botha 7

Malachi Jones b A.Botha 2

Kevin Hurdle not out 10

Delyone Borden not out 1

Extras (5lb, 5nb, 25w) 35

Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 275

Did not bat: Dwayne Leverock

Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-158, 3-162 4-237, 5-241, 6-256, 7-263, 8-263

Bowling: Trent Johnston 5-0-35-0; William Rankin 4-0-25-0; Paul Mooney 3-017-0; Kevin O'Brien 8-1-38-2; Kyle McCallan 10-2-37-1; A.Botha 10-0-74-3; A.White 10-0-44-2

Umpires: Nadir Shah (Bangladesh), Subash Modi (Kenya)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama

Ireland: Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Kenny Caroll, Kyle McCallan, Paul Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, William Porterfield, William Rankin, Andrew White, Edin Morgan