BDA Development XI 84

BDA Under-15s 85 for two

A swashbuckling innings from opener Damian Collins backed up by fine bowling spells from Keishon Wilson, Greg Maybury Jr and leg spinner Tre Govia powered Bermuda Under-15s national team to an emphatic eight-wicket win over a Bermuda Development XI at Devonshire Recreation Club yesterday.

Chasing a shallow total, Collins switched into 20/20 mode and put the Development XI attack to the sword, blasting three sixes and two fours off 14 deliveries on the way to a team high 28.

The right-handed opening batsman added 51 runs for the first wicket with Jelani Albouy to send the tournament favourites well on their way to victory, but threw his wicket away attempting to flick one down the leg side and gave an easy catch behind.

But by then Bermuda Under-15s were well on course for victory that was eventually sealed shortly after lunch.

"It's very important to get that first victory under your belt because you always want to start off on the right foot," said victorious skipper Deunte Darrell, who is confident his team can go all the way to glory.

"We have a very strong team and I really think we can win the tournament."

Also among the runs for the Bermuda Under-15s were wicketkeeper/batsman Albouy and number three batsman Kamau Leverock - nephew of veteran left arm seamer Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock - who chipped in with 14 apiece.

Leverock and Albouy added 24 runs for the second wicket before the latter was bowled around his legs attempting to sweep leg spinner Tre Manders through the onside.

Leverock and Gilbert (five) remained undefeated when the winning runs were scored in the 11th over.

Earlier, seamers Maybury and Wilson and leg spinner Govia took two wickets apiece as the Development XI folded in 26.5 overs.

Bermuda Under-15 skipper Darrell won the toss and sent the opposition into bat on a sluggish pitch.

The decision paid immediate dividends as the Development XI quickly slipped to 21 for three with Maybury and off spinner Joshua Gilbert making the breakthrough.

But the Development XI fought back via two middle order partnerships that breathed life in the innings, with all rounder Isiah Lewis (24) and Trevor Singh (seven) stopping the slide via a 23 run for the fourth wicket stand.

However, the senseless run out of Lewis and cheap dismissal of number six batsman Janai Rattery (one) without any addition to the total put the Bermuda Under-15s back in the driver's seat.

Although Singh and skipper Chris Burgess (14) did manage to prolonge the inevitable by adding 28 runs for the sixth-wicket.

Burgess eventually ran himself out attempting a second single that was never on.

And his dismissal triggered a late order collapse that saw the Development XI's last four wickets crumble in the space of five runs as leg spinner Govia picked up two wickets in his second spell while seamer Wilson tightened the noose at the other end.

Wilson took two for five to lead the Bermuda Under-15 attack, while Maybury finished with two for 20 and Govia two for 26.

Gilbert and skipper Darrell took one each.

Elsewhere yesterday, Canada trounced Bahamas by 156 runs at Somerset Cricket Club, while defending Americas Under-15 Regional champs USA beat Cayman Island by eight-wickets at Lords.

Todays sees Bermuda-Under 15s take on Cayman Island at the National Sports Centre (NSC), the Bermuda Development XI face off against Canada at Sea Breeze Oval, while Bahamas and USA lock horns at Somerset Cricket Club.