Bermuda 290-3

Surinam 66

Bermuda's Americas Championship title defence gathered momentum in Florida yesterday as a Lionel Cann century and Delyone Borden's six-wicket haul powered the cup holders to an emphatic 224-run win against a depleted Surinam at the Lauderhill Cricket Stadium.

Opting to take first strike on a flat batting strip, Bermuda piled up a formidable total with the mercurial Cann leading the way with an unbeaten 101 off 97 balls before retiring hurt with a mild thigh strain.

Having put their opponents to the proverbial sword in the field, it was then left to off-spinner Borden – included in the squad as a last-minute replacement for the injured Kyle Hodsoll, to deliver the goods with the ball. The first change bowler snatched six wickets for a stingy 17 runs as Surinam folded in only 34 overs.

It was a well-rounded display that earned the approval of Bermuda coach Gus Logie. "It's been a long time in coming but we are beginning to settle into a rhythm and at the end of the day the confidence level is high which is good," he told The Royal Gazette. "The guys did what they had to do and basically their approach to the game was very sensible. We were ruthless in our approach but didn't take anything for granted."

During the 2006 Americas tournament in Toronto Cann smashed a robust 139 against Argentina and yesterday he picked up where he left off with an innings defined by a new-found tolerance and controlled aggression on a flattened pitch.

Apart from a skied chance at long off when he was in the 80s, the St.David's player/coach was in control at the crease and his 103-run opening stand with Chris Douglas enabled Bermuda's run rate to bulge to as many as 8.2 runs per over at one stage.

Cann, who dispatched 16 boundaries to the fence, also added 94 runs with Stephen Outerbridge after Douglas and Oronde Bascome (0) were removed in the same over before eventually being called in by his coach as a precautionary measure. The pinch hitter aggravated a muscle in his thigh early in his innings running between the stumps.

"He (Cann) ran a few quick ones and twos with the younger Douglas and felt a little sore," Logie added.

"We thought it best that he didn't hustle too much and so he had a runner which helped. Once he got to three figures we thought it best to save him for tomorrow (today).

"It was a very sensible innings. He didn't just go helter-skelter."

Logie described Cann's thigh strain as minor and is optimistic he will be declared fit to play in today's crucial match against fellow tournament favourites USA.

Cann, however, wasn't Bermuda's sole batting star as Outerbridge (62), skipper Irving Romaine (50 not out) and Douglas (42) also made significant contributions to their team's total.

"Some guys got good starts while Lionel got a hundred which will do his confidence the world of good going into the game against America tomorrow (today)," Logie said.

Romaine silenced his own critics by blasting his way back into form with a run-a-ball half -century. He also shared in stands of 42 and 51 with Outerbridge and David Hemp (19) – who has yet to be dismissed in two visits to the crease.

Having only collected three scalps during Bermuda's innings it was evident Surinam's bowling lacked cutting edge and their performance with the bat proved just as blunt.Set a target just under 300 runs to chase after, Surinam were forced on the back foot early as Outerbridge (three for 15) made the initial breakthrough.

Borden then kept a steady procession of Surinam batsmen going to and from the pavilion by mopping up the opposition's middle and lower order.

"Delyone has been bowling very well in both games so far. He has been consistent with his line and length and has received just reward," added Logie.

Though not as successful as his St.David's team-mate, Justin Pitcher's senior national team debut was no less memorable as he only gave up ten runs during a highly economical ten over spell. Promising off-spinner Tamauri Tucker took one for 22 off seven.

Bermuda's confidence is sure to be high going into today's important clash with a Steve Messiah-led USA.