North Field, National Sports Centre (Smith’s Sixers won toss): No result

Champions Hamilton Parish Hurricanes and Smith’s Sixers had to settle for five points each after their Bermuda Smash Invitational contest was brought to an abrupt end by rain on Sunday.

Sixers, aided by 44 off 26 balls from West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, posted 141 in 19.5 overs. Hurricanes were 12 for one, with Alex Dore the batter to fall in the only over of their innings, before a heavy downpour halted proceedings.

Left-arm bowlers gave the Sixers batters a tough time with Derrick Brangman and Cejay Outerbridge picking up three wickets apiece, while Raj Nannan took two wickets.

Brangman, who applied the brakes on the Sixers charge with a wicket off his second ball when brought on to bowl in the sixth over, was disappointed to see his effort go to waste.

“The Sixers got off to a flyer with 19 runs off the first over but then we pinned them back,” Brangman told The Royal Gazette.

“From there on, we bowled well and took some great catches. We only dropped one catch, so our fielding was on point.

“We can’t do anything about Mother Nature, we can’t control the weather and we share the points. We’re looking to win on Tuesday and go into the game on Thursday on a high.

“Hopefully, we can get to the final again this year. We can’t win if we don’t get to the final, so we have to get there first, one step at a time.”

Nannan, who recorded a miserly two for nine with one maiden in four overs, enjoyed bowling in Bermuda for the first time.

“The atmosphere was awesome and the crowd was providing great support until the rain disrupted everything,” the Guyanese player said.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time and trying to get better as a team. As a player, I came here to get better in what I do and learn from my team-mates.”

Sixers captain Onias Bascome thought his side had done enough with the bat to come out on top against the champions before the rain intervened.

“It was unfortunate that we couldn't get a result after we fought back to get a decent total that we thought we could defend,” he said.

“We were confident when we went out to defend 141. Our initial target was between 160 and 180, with 150 usually a par score on this field.

“With the field brought in, it feels a little bit smaller. We tried targeting more runs, but coming up with 141 at the end, we felt we could defend that.

“We have to stick to the same game plan in the next two games. We know we didn’t execute as much as we wanted to, but we still have a deep batting line-up.”

While the forecast for Tuesday also appears gloomy, tournament organiser Jekon Edness is hoping for better weather in the remaining four matchdays.

“First day was not ideal,” he said. “The weather lessened our ability to have a spectacle as we would have loved to do.

“We had one short match completed and then rain was again a factor for the second game. Not the opening we had envisioned but we move on nonetheless.

“We’re hoping that the forecast is a little more pleasant for Tuesday. You can’t get too far ahead regarding the weather in Bermuda, so we’re just hoping for better.

“On Tuesday and Thursday, we’re inviting schools to bring their students to come and enjoy some top-quality cricket. If the students come in uniform with their teachers, entry is free for them on those two days.”