Bermuda U19s 326-6

Argentina U19s 96 all out

Bermuda Under-19s are set for an explosive encounter with Canada knowing victory will see them qualify for their first-ever World Cup to be held in Malaysia next year.

The pressure-cooker clash will be staged in Toronto this weekend after the colts massacred whipping boys Argentina in a mammoth 230-run win in their ICC Americas qualifying match yesterday, courtesy of a century by Terryn Fray.

Qualifying for the showpiece finals in February will once put the Island back on the cricketing map as well as reaping financial rewards with the winning country's board receiving a cash windfall from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Buoyant coach Andre Manders believes competing in Malaysia is vital for his team's development with potential mouth-watering battles against cricketing powerhouses Australia, England and Pakistan lying ahead.

"We've the chance to play against some of the best countries in the world and put Bermuda once again on the sporting map," he said. "Qualifying for the World Cup is so important in terms of the exposure and financial gain it would bring to Bermudian cricket.

"Whoever qualifies won't have long to prepare with the World Cup starting early next year and we've already earmarked venues where we would train, should we triumph."

With the Bermuda national team tasting defeat after defeat on their current European tour, Manders conceded the Island was in desperate need of a cricketing success story.

"It would really give the Island a boost if we qualified and would show everyone we have some very talented young players in Bermuda," he added.

The Canadians, who have the advantage of being on home turf, are still unbeaten and are expected to overcome Cayman Islands tomorrow prior to their final fixture against Manders' men on Saturday.

They have already battered Argentina and bludgeoned a staggering 420 off their allotted 50 overs against the Bahamas yesterday, before bowling them out for a paltry 82.

But Bermuda have been no slouches either, sweeping aside the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in their first two ICC Americas qualifying matches, prior to securing the scalp of Argentina.

Terryn Fray scored 119 off 125 balls while all-rounder Malachi Jones was once again in the thick of the action, hitting 44 off 20 balls as Bermuda made short shift of Argentina's tame bowling attack. In reply they managed just 96 with Stefan Kelly and Greg Maybury taking four wickets apiece. Manders added he was delighted with his young charges recent displays and was confident of beating Canada if his side performed to their optimum level.

"We will have to hold our catches as we know this will be an intense game. Canada have a good bowling attack and with all the games played at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City, Ontario, both teams have been able to scout each other — we probably know each other very well by now."

Bermuda have a rest day today and a bye tomorrow so should be fresh for Canada. At last month's Sir Garfield Sobers International tournament in Barbados, the Under-19s finished with six wins and four losses as joint runners-up in Zone A with Trinidad's Queen's Park Club.