Bermudian helps Danes defeat his own country
James Moniz may have had mixed feelings following Denmark’s seven-wicket win over Bermuda at the ICC World Twenty20 2012 qualifiers in Dubai earlier this week.While the 39-year-old batting all-rounder would have been delighted with the outcome of the match, he might have also expressed some grief that it came at the expense of his Bermudian compatriots.He holds a Bermudian passport but has lived in Denmark for several years.Moniz is a chip off the old block.His father is former Nationals all-rounder Alton Moniz who toured overseas with the late Chummy Hayward’s Bermuda Wanderers in the 1960s and 1970s.He is also a relative of former Devonshire and Bermuda star wicketkeeper Barry DeCouto and veteran politician Trevor Moniz.His elder brother, Shane, played for Nationals like his father in the 1980s before going on to play semi-professional cricket in England.Moniz made his international Twenty20 debut against Bermuda at Sharjah Cricket Stadium earlier this week. But he didn’t get the opportunity to bat as the Danes crossed Bermuda’s total (116 for seven) with seven wickets in hand.The seasoned right hand batsman and off spinner reached a milestone during Denmark’s match with the Netherlands at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Ground yesterday.The Bermudian thumped an unbeaten 47 from 26 balls in a losing cause as the Danes suffered their third loss of the tournament against the Dutch.Moniz blasted four boundaries and three sixes in a whirlwind knock to remain unbeaten with a strike rate of 180.76.However, he didn’t fare as well against Nepal and Afghanistan earlier this week.Moniz, who has yet to toss down a single over in Dubai so far, made a promising start against Nepal at the ICC Global Cricket Academy where he gathered 13 from 19 deliveries before he gave a return catch to the bowler.Nepal went on to win the match by nine wickets.He could only manage three runs in the Dane’s next match against defending tournament champions Afghanistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.Afghanistan won that match by 89 runs.When he’s not playing cricket, Moniz teaches elementary school students in Denmark where he resides with his wife and family.Denmark are currently seventh in Group A at the qualifying tournament in Dubai, two points ahead of last placed Bermuda.