KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, CMC – Bermuda, still without their top all-rounder Kamau Leverock, slipped to the bottom of the standings after slumping to a crushing 189-run defeat against Uganda in their second ICC World Cricket League Division Four match at the UKM-YSD Oval yesterday.
Bamboozled by spin, Bermuda were shot out for a paltry 60 in reply to Uganda’s 249 for five, spearheaded by captain Roger Mukasa’s 97 at the top of the order.
Leverock’s absence for disciplinary reasons following an expletive-laden outburst at team training on Saturday has left Bermuda in disarray and their hopes of avoiding the drop to Division Five hanging by a thread.
The cause of Leverock’s discontent remains unclear. National coach Clay Smith did not want to discuss the matter when asked by Bermuda’s Royal Gazette newspaper for comment
Sources at the ground said the Bermuda team management had investigated whether they would be allowed a replacement player in their 14-man squad for non-injury reasons, but their request was denied.
Mukasa led from the front after Uganda were sent in, hitting six fours in his 135-ball innings before being run out three runs short of his century, and adding 137 for the second wicket with Hamu Kayondo, who made 55.
Cejay Outerbridge, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, enjoyed the most success for Bermuda with two for 46 from 10 overs, but off-break bowler Dion Stovell, who shared the new ball, took one wicket but conceded only 19 runs in his 10-over stint.
Uganda, using only spin, then routed Bermuda inside 22 overs.
Mohammed Irfan did the bulk of the damage, claiming career-best figures of six for 23 from 10 overs. Only two Bermuda batsmen reached double figures – Charles Trott with 17 and vice-captain Stovell, who made 10.
In the day’s other matches, Denmark and Malaysia won for the second day running. The Danes beat Jersey by seven wickets with seven balls to spare chasing a revised Duckworth/Lewis target, while Malaysia edged Vanuatu by 23 runs.
Today is a rest day in the week-long tournament.
