Germany’s ‘well-oiled machine’ beats Cayman

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 7 September 2017

Ryan Bovell bowled by Sajid Liaqat for 23 (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Germany’s batsmen put on a collective effort as they chased down the Cayman Islands to win by five wickets at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa on Thursday, 7 September in the playoffs of the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 Tournament.

Batting first, Cayman Islands made a strong start as openers Sacha De Alwis and Darren Cato put on 127 for the first wicket.

De Alwis, the side’s highest run-getter in the tournament, was particularly impressive as he hit 94, while Cato backed him up with a steady 62. Germany battled back into the match with accurate bowling and limited Cayman Islands to 268 for six from its 50 overs.

Sacha De Alwis was six runs short of a century. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Conroy Wright contributed 26 runs, Ryan Bovell 23 and Deno McInnis 21 – as the only other batsmen to get into double digits.

Germany’s reply started positively as Daniel Weston and Mudassar Muhammad put on an opening partnership of 64. Muhammad (47) and Venkatraman Ganesan (59) then built the innings impressively as Germany ate into Cayman Islands’ lead. And a late flurry from captain Rishi Pillai (35 not out) saw it home in style and will now meet Guernsey on Saturday in a battle for fifth place.

Conroy Wright had 26 from 27 balls. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Spinner Kevin Bazil took three wickets for 57 runs off 10 overs, while Corey Cato and Alessandro Morris had a wicket apiece.

Germany captain Pillai said: “This is the way we play. We are a well-oiled machine and we looked like that today.”

Meantime, Cayman Islands captain Ramon Sealy said: “I thought we had enough runs on the board but Germany were impressive. We dropped a few catches and it cost us the game.”

This was Cayman’s fourth consecutive loss at the tournament.

Result in brief:

Germany beat Cayman Islands by five wickets

Cayman Islands 268-6, 50 overs (Sacha De Alwis 94, Darren Cato 62; Venkatraman Ganesan 2-29, Mudassar Muhammad 1-27)

Germany 271-5, 41.5 overs (Venkatraman Ganesan 59, Mudassar Muhammad 47, Amith Sarma 40; Kevin Bazil 3-57, Corey Cato 1-41)

The Cayman Islands now play Ghana on Saturday. The loser of that game with finish bottom of the standings in the eight-team tournament and the winner seventh.