Minors makes history in Trinidad

A stunning eighth-wicket stand between Dean Minors and Lionel Cann propelled Bermuda to victory in their first ever One-Day International, defeating Canada in the second match of the ICC Tri-Series in Port-of-Spain.

A typically unrestrained start to the Canadian innings from skipper John Davison saw his side off to a bright start, until George O’Brien and Saleem Mukkudem collected two wickets apiece to peg back the North Americans. Left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock then sent down ten overs for just fifteen runs as the island nation strangled the Canadian middle order, and as Hasan Durham and captain Janeiro Tucker reduced the bastting side to 91/8, an unlikely victory seemed on the cards.

Unfortunately for the Bermudans, number eight George Codrington dug in. Alongside first Kevin Sandher (9), and then Henry Osinde (11*), Canada added 66 in 16 overs for the final two wickets, closing their rain-shortened 49 over innings on 157/9.

Osinde, Davison and Sanjay Thuraisingham took little time in making the target (the figure being 157 due to that one over of D/L modification) seem comparatively huge – sending the top four island batsmen back for single figure scores – but the Bermudan run-rate continued to persist well ahead of its target. Irvine Romaine (25) and Janeiro Tucker (17) kept their side in the game, and as veteran wicketkeeper Dean Minors found support from Lionel Cann, they edged themselves back into contention for victory.

With rain never far away, calculators and computers kept the Duckworth/Lewis figures in touch for the two batsmen – and the target came down to 151 from 44 overs. Cann and Minors held firm, however, and from the final ball of the match the Bermudans edged home.

Following Canada’s heavy defeat to Zimbabwe yesterday, Bermuda and Zimbabwe will now contest the final two ODIs of the series – tomorrow’s final group game, and Saturday’s final.

Canada 157-9
George Codrington 45, John Davison 22
Janeiro Tucker 2-29, Hasan Durham 2-31

Bermuda 151-7
Dean Minors 43*, Lionel Cann 32*

Bermuda won by 3 wickets (D/L Method)

Cricket Web Player of the Match
Dean Minors (Bermuda)