JANEIRO Tucker returned from injury to underpin Bermuda’s innings with a cultured yet powerful 56 off 88 balls but could not prevent the island tumbling to a six-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe in their final World Cup warm-up match in St. Vincent yesterday.Bermuda, who were bowled out for 45 and lost by 241 runs to England on Monday, made 136 all out in 50 overs.

Bermuda’s burly left-arm spinner Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock, who weighed in with two for 32 against England on Monday, took another two wickets.

Paceman Anthony Ireland was Zimbabwe’s best bowler with three for 22 off eight overs.

Sean Williams nearly gave up on Zimbabwe but yesterday he was glad he kept the faith after leading his side to victory.

The 20 year old, who once refused a call-up when his father urged him to stick with his studies, hit 72 not out as Zimbabwe reached their target of 137 in 29 overs, writes Mark Meadows of Reuters.

Administration wrangles have ripped the heart out of the Zimbabwe side and led to their test status being removed, although they are due to return to the five-day arena in November.Williams almost turned his back on the side again last year given the problems within the board but his cool knock boosted Zimbabwe’s confidence after Tuesday’s 106-run defeat to Australia in their first warm-up.

Asked if he was glad he had stuck by Zimbabwe, Williams said: “Yes definitely. I went away to try to get some experience and came back and continued where I left off,” he told a news conference.

Bermuda, making their tournament debut, face former winners Sri Lanka in their Group B opener on March 15 in Trinidad.

Bermuda lose to Zimbabwe