Cayman Islands edge Argentina in first WCL qualifier

By Cayman Sports Buzz
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: 23 February 2017

Kervin Ebanks appeals for a decision (Photos courtesy: ICC Americas)

The Cayman Islands are a win away from promotion to the ICC World Cricket League Division 5, after a narrow victory over Argentina in the first match of their qualifier series in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, 22 February.

The Cayman Islands took it down to the wire to beat the hosts by three wickets with three balls to spare.

Heavy overnight rain resulted in a damp outfield at Hurlingham Club and caused the game to be delayed. When play resumed, the initially scheduled 50-over match was reduced to 33 overs.

Cayman skipper Ramon Sealy won the toss and sent Argentina to bat first.

Skipper Ramon Sealy donned the gloves behind the stumps.

Argentina did well to recover to 117 for eight at the close of their innings, after some tight bowling from Neil Coley and Kervin Ebanks pegged them back initially. For Argentina, Paterlini stroked 28 from 55 Balls and Mulsiani got 32 off 47 including four 6s.

The pick of the Cayman bowlers was Conroy Wright who got 4 for 19 off his seven overs. Alessandro Morris was also restrictive, taking two wickets for 15 runs from his seven overs.

The bowlers were ably supported in the field with Ryan Bovell involved in three dismissals. He effected a runout and took two catches, including a one in which he ran around the deep cover boundary to take a spectacular catch of the ball inches off the ground at full stretch.

When Cayman batted, openers Zach Mclaughlin and Jalon Linton got off to a very nervy start and were bogged down with seven runs off the first seven overs. When McLaughlin departed for only two runs, Linton came into his own and eventually got 24 before he was caught on the boundary.

With Cayman Islands behind the required run rate and looking shaky at 57 for five off 19 overs, middle order batsmen Deno McInnis, who got 32 runs, and the experienced Ryan Bovell 31, steadied the ship and brought Cayman back in the game and within sight of victory before they too departed. It was left to Darren Cato (five not out) and Kervin Ebanks (three not out) to see Cayman home.

Cayman XI: Ramon Sealy (capt and wk), Zach McLaughlin, Jalon Linton, Chris Palmer, Darren Cato, Deno McInnis, Ryan Bovell, Alessandro Morris, Conroy Wright, Kervin Ebanks, Neil Coley.

The teams return to action Wednesday at the picturesque Belgrano Athletic Club ground. A win will see Cayman winning the three-match series and gaining promotion to WCL Div 5.