Thomas half-cenury hands HPC easy win

TORONTO, Canada,  CMC – Devon Thomas stroked a half-century to guide West Indies HPC to a comfortable five-wicket win over hapless Bermuda yesterday.

The 20-year-old hit 51 as the HPC, chasing Bermuda’s paltry 134 off 43.2 overs, cantered to their target off 31.1 overs at the Malton Cricket Club, in their penultimate fixture of the Cricket Canada Summer Festival.

Thomas, who played two One-Day Internationals last year against Bangladesh in a weakened West Indies squad, shared an enterprising 68-run stand for the third wicket with Nkrumah Bonner who hit 33.

The partnership was required after Kyle Corbin hammered 29 at the top of the order before falling at 51 for two.

Earlier, Dion Stovell top scored with 31 and Fiqre Crockwell got 21, but fast bowler Jason Holder, left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson and leg-spinner Kieron Cottoy all snatched three wickets apiece to undermine the batting.

After winning the toss and batting, Bermuda got off to a solid start with Stovell and Chris Foggo (18) posting 44 for the first wicket before Johnson claimed Foggo to a catch at the wicket.

Stovell was bowled by Holder soon after, sparking a slide which saw wickets fall regularly.

The HPC will close out their tour with another 50-overs match against Canada today.