Cayman Islands demolish fading Argentina by International Cricket Council

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Scorecard:	Argentina v Cayman Islands
Player:	PI Best, SC Gordon, KF Bazil, T Francis, LM Paterlini, EM Nino

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DateLine: 29th November 2008

 

At the Central Broward Regional Park stadium, in what has become something of an Americas region derby match, the Cayman Islands demolished a poor Argentina by 108 runs. Early in the contest a result like this did not look likely as after choosing to bat first, the Cayman Islands were 20 for 3 and in some trouble.

 

But nothing counts more than experience sometimes, and a brilliant 167 run fourth wicket partnership between skipper Pearson Best and Steve Gordon resurrected the innings, and in some ways took the match out of Argentina’s reach, especially with their batting order missing the prolific Hamish Barton through injury.

 

Best made a fantastic 109, off 107 balls, with 11 fours and 4 sixes. Gordon added an invaluable 59 off 101 balls, with 2 fours and 2 sixes. In fact their partnership had set up a bigger total but the Cayman Islands could not make the most of the closing overs, losing their final 6 wickets for 31 runs. Far and away the best of the Argentina bowlers was Gary Savage, who finished with 4 for 16 in 8,5 overs, while Esteban Nino took 4 for 67 in 9 overs.

 

Any thoughts of an Argentina challenge were throttled by a miserly Cayman Islands bowling attack, led by the Bazil twins, Kevin and Kevon. Opener Kevon piled on the pressure with 2 for 22 in 10 overs, as did fellow opener Kervin Banks, wicketless but only conceding 19 runs in his 10 overs. But it was ultimately Kevin Bazil who took the bowling honours, routing the Argentina middle order as they tried to break the early shackles, and finishing with 5 for 13 in 8,1 overs. Kevin also weighed in with a superb direct-hit run out.

 

Runs were nowhere at the start of the Argentina innings, and after crawling to 41 for 2 in 20 overs, the writing was almost on the wall. Only all-rounder Lucas Paterlini made a significant contribution, but even he was stifled in his 32 made from 64 balls.

 

Cayman Islands captain Pearson Best was understandably pleased with the win: “We played much better today than the first two days of course, but we still need to improve in the batting to be consistent, and make better use of the powerplays. Good to win, but still lots of improvement needed.”

 

Hamish Barton, player-coach of Argentina, who missed the game through an ankle injury, commented: “The Pearson/Best partnership was critical, although in the end it was a good effort to fight back and bowl them out for 230 when they were heading for 260 or 270. But our batting in the middle needs a huge amount of improvement, and we need to show more urgency in picking up runs especially when the bowling is tight. We simply played poorly.”

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2008 International Cricket Council)