the top Test-playing nations was shattered yesterday after the Island team were bundled out of the ICC Trophy Tournament in Malaysia.

Defeat by Scotland in their final group match meant the fourth-seeded Bermuda team were eliminated from the competition -- marking the first time they had failed to reach at least the quarter-finals of the ICC.

Four years ago, they finished fourth in Kenya when the top three all qualified for the World Cup. The leading three will again earn that right in Malaysia.

Beaten for the first time by minnows Hong Kong last week, Bermuda needed to win against Scotland to survive early elimination. But with none of their batsmen making more than 19 runs, they were bowled out for 174 -- 57 runs short of the target set by Scotland.

Story and Opinion -- Sports, Page 17.