By Orin Davidson
Guyana’s Lennox Cush set Italy ablaze yesterday with a lethal batting display in leading the United States of America to victory over the home team in the final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division Four championship in Bologna.
Cush warmed up for Guyana’s campaign in the Airtel Champions League T20 championship by blasting the fastest century by a US batsman and possibly the quickest by any ICC Associate Member Nation player, a hurricane 55-ball knock that included 14 fours and four sixes. He ended with 101 off 57 balls as the americans thumped Italy by eight wickets to win the competition comfortably to advance to Division Three.
The USA raced to their target scoring 188-2 in only 21.4 overs, chasing 188-9 scored by Italy. Cush shared a blistering opening century stand with Jamaica-born Orlando Baker who made 40 that set up the victory. Cush also played a hand with the ball, taking 1-37 off seven overs while fellow Guyanese Kevin Darlington was also in fine form bagging 2-27 off 10 overs. The third Guyanese in the USA team captain Steve Massiah made 29 not out.
The USA ended the competition with five wins and one loss, and in crushing Italy, avenged they only defeat in the robin robin stage, a 51-run upset by the home team.
American trounced Tanzania, Cayman Islands, Argentina and Nepal to reclaim the Div three status following a suspension four years that relegated them to Division 5.
They will take on Hong Kong, Oman, Italy, Papau New Guinea in Dvision Three in January enroute to a qualifying for the 2015 World Cup.
Cush who scored a crushing 59 in America’s previous game against Argentina after the US was reeling on 17-5 at one stage, helped a recovery that led to the US winning the game by 206 runs, will head home to Guyana immediately after the US team leaves Italy, to join his teamates in camp for the Champions League in three weeks time.
