Anderson hits century as Bermuda rebound

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Jason Anderson struck an unbeaten century as Bermuda got their World Cricket League Division Two campaign back on track with a comfortable 69-run win over Hong Kong here yesterday.

Jason Anderson

Batting at number three, Anderson stroked 106 from 137 balls to propel Bermuda to a competitive total of 242 from their 50 overs, after they won the toss and batted at the ICC Global Cricket Academy.

Off-spinners Rodney Trott (3-22) and Dion Stovell (3-25) then grabbed three wickets apiece while medium pacer Damali Bell finished with two for 61, to send Hong Kong tumbling for 173 from 41.3 overs.

Anderson atoned for his role in skipper David Hemp’s departure at 65 for two, run out for 36, by adding 93 for the fifth wicket with Lionel Cann (50 from 35 balls) to ensure Bermuda rebounded from a loss in Friday’s opener to Papua New Guinea,

Asif Khan, the seventh bowler used, was Hong Kong’s most productive, taking two for 46 from six overs.

Hong Kong got off to a fast start in reply, with Roy Lamsam (40) helping his side to recover from 14 for one to reach 60 for one.

In the absence of injured fast bowler Malachi Jones, Damali Bell and Stefan Kelly led the Bermuda attack.

Bell struck early prising out Courtney Kruger for four at 14 for one and with slow bowlers Delyone Borden (1-41) and Trott getting among the wickets, Hong Kong slumped to 89 for six.

At that stage it looked as if Bermuda would win easily, but Hong Kong skipper Najeeb Amar (49) and Irfan Ahmed (21) put on 76 for the seventh wicket, and at 165 for six Hong Kong were still in with a chance.

However, both threw their wickets away in the space of one Stovell over, and eventually Hong Kong lost their last four wickets for just eight runs to crash to defeat.