Bermuda were eliminated from title contention at the ICC Trophy tournament in Kenya when they tumbled to defeat against the host nation at Aga Khan Sports Club yesterday during the first semifinal.

Poor fielding contributed to a 64-run loss as Bermuda fell well short of an imposing target of 318 runs set by Kenya, totalling 254 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

Adding to the Bermuda team's woes was the reporting of early-order batsman Clay Smith by Namibian umpire Louis Van Reenen to ICC match referee, Barney Miller for misconduct.

Smith, who struck an elegant 108 before, was said to have run down the pitch to remonstrate with Van Reenen after being given out to a dubious lbw call and only left the crease after much argument.

Memories of a similar incident at the 1986 tournament in England were rekindled when Charlie Marshall reportedly cursed the umpire and received a lengthy suspension on his return to Bermuda.

The result left Bermuda in a must-win situation in order to place in the top three and earn the final invitation for the 1996 World Cup.

On Saturday they will take on the loser of tomorrow's other semifinal contest between Holland and United Arab Emirates in the third place final while Kenya await the winners, having already assured themselves a place in the World Cup to be hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Clay Smith.