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Bermuda overpowered as MCC bats let loose

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) continued their dominance of Bermuda at Sea Breeze Oval yesterday.The touring cricket ambassadors beat their hosts by 64 runs in a match reduced from 50 to 30 overs that they dictated from start to finish.Led by an explosive knock from top order bat Craig DeWeymarn, the MCC piled up an impressive total that ultimately proved far beyond Bermuda's reach after electing to bat on a true Sea Breeze Oval track.It was then left to first change bowler Richard Gilbert to seal the visitors' fourth victory on tour with superb figures of five for 32 to restrict Bermuda under the double century mark.The start of play of yesterday's match was delayed several hours because of a pitch that was left exposed to overnight rain after the covers blew off.But when play finally commenced at 2 pm it soon became clear that it would be a long afternoon in the field for Bermuda.DeWeymarn was the sharpest thorn in the side of a Bermuda attack that was put to the sword whenever they dropped short of a length or over pitched.The Hampshire Cricket Club head physio cracked a game-high 77 from just 45 deliveries that included six sixes and six fours.DeWeymarn's half-century arrived off just 35 deliveries and along with wicketkeeper Josh Knappett (49 not out) he shared in an electrifying century partnership for the fourth wicket that took the match completely away from Bermuda.The right-handed batsman also added 40 runs for the third wicket with Chris Thompson (32) before the latter lost his off stump to the seam of Lateef Trott. The visitors found runs easy to come by as Bermuda's bowlers struggled with their length, thumping a staggering 135 runs off the last 11 overs of the innings.With the exception of Sammy Robinson (none for 25), no other Bermuda bowler was spared the MCC's wrath with seamers Damali Bell (one for 69) and Trott (one for 51) leaking the most runs as the visitors cut loose on a true Sea Breeze Oval track before their quota of overs expired. Bermuda set about their run chase in an admirable manner with openers Jason Anderson and Fiqre Crockwell adding 76 runs for the first wicket, albeit at a much slower run rate than required.Both batsmen survived a series of confident appeals and inside edges that grazed the stumps as they set about laying a foundation for the hosts.Crockwell (43) was also put down in the deep before his luck finally eluded him when he ran himself out after being sent back to the non-striker's end by Anderson attempting a risky single that was never on just seven runs shy of what would've been a well deserved half- century.After Stephen Outerbridge (12) made a cameo, Anderson was joined at the crease by skipper David Hemp and together the pair added 64 runs for the third wicket.Hemp, who blasted 41 from just 26 deliveries, dominated the stand with some polished stroke play, punctuated by two beautifully timed sixes and four fours.Anderson reached his half century in the 23rd over off 72 balls, but by then the run rate had swelled to nearly 12 runs per over with the MCC firmly in the driver's seat.Hemp eventually fell going for one big hit too many when he was caught in the deep and his dismissal sparked a collapse as Bermuda lost four wickets in the space of 11 runs as the visitors, with right arm pacer Gilbert in full stride, tightened the noose with some clinical bowling at the death. Anderson was bowled attempting to caress the ball into the covers, Irving Romaine (11) hit across the line and gave an easy catch, Dennico Hollis (eight) was held at mid -off while Robinson (one) had his stumps shattered.Gilbert claimed the scalps of Hollis and Robinson in successive deliveries to place himself on a hat-trick that in the end wasn't to be as Stefan Kelly (0) saw off the final ball of the match.

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