Clico Preysal 163

Bermuda XI 92

The Ravi Rampaul express steamrolled through the National Sports Centre last night, leaving a humbled young Bermuda XI in its wake.

When the dust had settled visiting Clico Preysal were celebrating a third straight win by 71 runs, while their hosts were left to lament the most lopsided defeat of the tour so far.

Rampaul proved to be the catalyst for the home team's demise, smashing 30 runs off 32 balls and then returning to claim four wickets for 11 runs during a tumultuous five-over opening spell that pegged back the Bermudian batsmen, starting with with the very first ball of the innings when he had Treadwell Gibbons jr caught behind for a golden duck.

"To be truthful I'm very happy to see what Ravi is doing because he was away from the game through injury for nearly two years," commented Clico executive and former West Indies Test off break bowler Rangy Nanan.

"We are happy to see him back and he has been very impressive with his bowling. Now we are hoping he will continue in the same vein and come back soon to play for Trinidad and Tobago and also get back into the West Indies team.

"And we feel positive that he can make the West Indies team for the World Cup. He is very impressive and it is good to see him here playing pain free."

The West Indies quickie, bowling to an attacking field, struck again in the third, fifth and ninth overs to leave the host team reeling at 19 for four.

Chris Douglas (nine) and Dean Stevens (three) added temporary stability by way of a 17-run fifth-wicket partnership in five overs.

But Clico skipper Shazan Babwah would ignite a middle order collapse which saw the local team lose their next three batsmen in the space of 12 balls for the addition of two runs to the total after Stevens was run out attempting a single that was never really on.

Yet with Clico firmly in control of proceedings, and destined for victory, the home team rallied with youngsters Malachi Jones (26) and Stephen Bremar jr (14) producing 40 runs in 12 overs to put the visitors' celebration plans on hold.

Jones was the more aggressive of the two batsmen, smashing two fours on a heavy outfield batting on a pitch that behaved for the duration of the match.

Jones faced 40 balls in 36 minutes before he was bowled around his legs attempting to sweep leg break spinner Deepak Kumar through the on side.

Rodney Trott then departed without scoring, leaving Kumar on a hat-trick that he nearly achieved as the first delivery he tossed down to Ryan Steede (seven) caught the edge of the bat, but flew over the head of wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Steede and Bremar frustrated the Clico fieldsmen for another three overs before Ramdin had the latter brilliantly stumped to end the innings, and maintain the visitors' unbeaten streak on tour.

Rampaul, who has now taken ten wickets on tour so far, led the Clico bowling with outstanding figures of four for 11 off five overs with one maiden, while off spinner Babwah and leg spinner Kumar took two for 24 and two for 15 respectively.

Earlier the home team were nearly impeccable in the field, and did well to restrict Clico for under 200 runs ? thanks in no small part to a late collapse triggered by teenage off spinner Chris Douglas.

Pitcher struck in the fourth over by bowling Bryce (five), but the visitors rallied with Ramdin (36) and Kumar (30) adding 63 runs for the second wicket and later Miguel Nedd (nine) and Rampaul (30) adding 28 for the sixth wicket.

However, once fourth change Douglas bowled Nedd with a ball that really should have been punished in the 27th over, Clico lost their remaining four batsmen in seven overs for the addition of only 33 runs.

Douglas received solid support from opener Stevens who claimed two wickets during a second spell and fellow teenager Jones who picked up the big wickets of Ramdin and Babwah (five), had a hand in the dismissal of Rampaul and then accounted for the run out of last man Sankar (0).

Ramdin showed signs he is returning to form with the bat, smashing two fours off 42 balls, Kumar hit two sixes and a four off 36 balls and Rampaul three fours and a six off 32 balls.

"Ramdin batted responsibly today and impressed with a good score," Nanan said.

Stevens was the most impressive of the local bowlers with figures of two for 13, while Douglas had two for 17 and Jones two for 28.

Clico have today off, and are now scheduled to meet Premier Division champions Southampton Rangers tomorrow at Somerset Cricket Club.