Cricket: Barbados Defeat Bermuda By 40 Runs
[Written by Patrick Bean]
Barbados defeated Bermuda by 40 runs at White Hill Field in the second match of the Bermuda Premier League [BPL].
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a formidable total of 162 for eight in their quota of 20 overs.
Yvan Grant led the batting for Barbados with 53 runs and was ably assisted by Jonathan Drakes, who scored 47.
Kamau Leverock was the top bowler for Bermuda, as he took three wickets for 27 runs, while Malachi Jones took two for 38.
“Today we batted pretty well to get a decent total on the board,” said Grant, who was declared the Man-of-the-Match. “It was a bit difficult to get started, as the conditions were new to me, but I took my time, stuck to the game plan and was able to occupy the wicket for a period of time.”
Barbados coach Henderson Springer was satisfied with the team’s first performance in the BPL,
“I thought it was a perfect opportunity for both teams to get a run out and see where they stand,” said Springer after the match. “Bermuda has some young guys that are looking to drive forward and the same thing with the Barbados team.
“This is the Barbados ‘A’ team, with only two contracted players, while the others are young guys and I thought this was a very good exercise.”
Even in defeat Bermuda coach Naraj Odedra remained upbeat, after seeing his charges produce a competitive showing against one of the Caribbean’s powerhouse countries.
“I think we were outclassed in all three departments,” said Odedra. “They [Barbados] really batted well, fielded well and their spinners bowled a lot better than ours did, which was a big difference in the game.”
Having dug a bit of a hole for themselves Bermuda face must-win situations going forward if they are to qualify for a place in the weekend’s final match.
“Tomorrow we have to win if we are going to make it to the final against these guys again,” added Odedra. “This [Barbaods] teams looks strong and are likely going to go through.
“They play very composed and look more like a unit and we need to make sure that the next two matches we play we come out really strong, turn things around and pull up our socks.
“This was a really good eye opener and we need to do better in order to win the next two matches.”
Schedule:
Thursday, September 7
10:00 AM – Bermuda National Team vs Bermuda Select XI @ White Hill Field
2:00 PM – Grassroots Academy vs Barbados National Team @ White Hill Field
Saturday, September 9
10:00 AM – Barbados National Team vs Bermuda Select XI @ NSC [North Field]
2:00 PM – Bermuda National Team vs Grassroots Academy @ NSC [North Field]
Sunday, September 10
10:00 AM – Plate final 3-4 @ NSC [North Field]
2:00 PM – Final 1-2 @ NSC [North Field]
