White Hill Field (Bermuda won toss): Bermuda beat Bermuda Select XI by nine wickets

Tre Manders and Cejay Outerbridge played instrumental roles to give Bermuda a huge win over their countrymen in the Bermuda Premier League.

With Bermuda looking for a big response after their disappointing loss to Barbados in their opening match on Wednesday, player of the match Manders stepped up with an unbeaten 48 off 30 deliveries, his unbroken second wicket stand of 78 with skipper Delray Rawlins (33) sealing the win in 9.3 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

Left arm pace bowler Outerbridge, playing only his second match for Bermuda since 2018, had earlier zipped through the Select XI to finish with four wickets for ten runs to restrict Clay Smith’s men to 87 for eight in 20 overs. It was Outerbridge’s best performance in a Bermuda shirt since he picked up five for 25 against Jersey in an ICC World Cricket League Division Four encounter played in Los Angeles in November 2016.

Manders was pleased to contribute with the bat after he fell for four runs against Barbados.

“It felt good,’’ Manders said.

“I knew today I just had to stick my head down. We played well and it was a nice atmosphere and nice vibe. I was looking for the 50 but the main thing is to win and I’m looking forward to the next match.

Manders is hopeful that the side will get another crack at Barbados in the final after their opening-game defeat

“That was a tough loss but Barbados are a good side,” Manders said.

“I think they will be equal to Canada’s type of team but it was a good test for us. Hopefully we get to see them again in the final and make a different mark.”

Just as they did against Grassroots Academy in their opening match, the Select XI struggled in the middle order after being asked to bat first and it took a good effort down the order from Jarryd Richardson, who finished with an unbeaten 33, to better the 74 they scored in their game.

Three changes were made by Clay Smith, with Argentinian Pedro Baron one of those dropped, but there was not much change to the batting approach as his side struggled to handle Outerbridge’s pace.

In the reply, Bermuda lost the wicket of Kamau Leverock after off spin bowler Shakai Darrell made a breakthrough in the second over, but that was to be the only celebration for the Select XI, as Manders and Rawlins tore the bowling apart.

Both batters smashed three sixes each, with the captain sending a Macquille Walker ball over the ropes to end the match.

“Yesterday was tough and the first competitive game we’ve played in a long time,’’ Rawlins said.

“I wouldn't say it was expected, but I wasn't too disappointed, I think we bowled well yesterday and we backed it up again today on a wicket that was seamer-friendly. To be clinical at the end there and to win the game one down is what we’re looking for.

“We didn't talk much yesterday and we only talked about the positives. That’s the main thing, trying to keep positive and thinking about the right things.

“It showed here today, we had them five, six down early and then knocked the runs off pretty quick. All in all, we’re happy with the way we’ve progressed in the two days.

“Tre was already set, it was a lot easier for myself to come in and play my shots, we just tried to be positive, do the right thing. He batted well, I don't think he would be too disappointed with 48 not out.”

Terryn Fray, a regular batting partner of Rawlins at the top of the order, has been notably absent from the first two matches but the Bailey’s Bay skipper will return to the starting line-up for the match against Antigua Grassroots Academy on Saturday, which will decide who joins Barbados in the final on Sunday.

“I work in the school system so I cannot play during the week and the request came in late,’’ Fray told The Royal Gazette.

“It was a bit tricky because schools opened this week, but I’m definitely available over the weekend and for the qualifiers.”

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