USA WIN THRILLER WITH TITLE IN THEIR SIGHTS

In what was probably the game of the tournament thus far, at Longchamps, the United States pulled off a thrilling last over victory over a spirited Bermuda to win by 1 wicket off the last ball of the match.

Bermuda batted first and compiled 140 for 6 in their allotted 40 overs, reduced from 50 due to a delayed start due to early morning rain. Oliver Pitcher top-scored with 43 from 110 balls, while opening bat Aaron Adams made 36. Joy Zinto proved to be the most miserly of the five USA bowlers used, conceding only 12 runs in his 8 overs with one wicket.

The Bermudan bowling proved just as effective, and the USA struggled to take control in their run chase of what was a relatively modest target. It was left to tailenders Zinto and Narine and a 10th wicket partnership of 9 runs to see the US team home. Earlier Khan, with 33, Hoilett, 31, and Bacchus with 33, all made important contributions to the cause.

Herbie Bascome bowled superbly for figures of 8 overs, 3 for 19, and was well backed up by Durham, 3 for 31, and Leverock, 2 for 21. This win for the USA, coupled with the Caymans loss against Canada, leaves the US clear at the top of the table with only one game remaining, a vital clash against the Cayman Islands, again at Longchamps.

BAHAMAS SHOCK HOST NATION FOR HISTORIC WIN

The Bahamas pulled off a huge upset at Hurlingham with a 19 run victory over hosts Argentina. Armstrong and Atkinson were the core batsmen to with half-centuries to help the Americas Cup minnows to a respectable 187 all out in 48,1 overs. The two contrasting innings, Armstrong 50 in 90 balls, and Atkinson, 59 in 66 balls, combined for a crucial 72 run fourth wicket partnership.

Lucas Paterlini was again the pick of the Argentine bowlers, with 3 for 19 in 9,1 overs, while left-arm spinner Hernan Pereyra took 3 for 38.

A disastrous start for Argentina, with star batsman Matias Paterlini dismissed by Garcia Blair off the first ball of the Argentine reply, and the innings stopped and started as the hosts made heavy weather of the run chase to eventually be all out for 148 in 48,5 overs. A lot of starts, with 6 players getting well into double figures but not continuing on as needed. The Ferguson brothers, Alejandro and Paul, both made 28, and Irigoyen 24.

Blair ended with 2 for 27, Armstrong 3 for 33 and Bennette 2 for 23, to clinch a historic win against Associate opposition for the Bahamas in their first tournament at this level.

CANADA WIN GIVES THEM HOPE OF TITLE DEFENCE

Canada posted an important 25 run victory over the Cayman Islands to give themselves an outside chance of retaining their Americas Cup title at Belgrano.

In a match reduced to 42 overs per side due to early rain, Canada batted first and posted 198 for 9, with Maraj top-scoring with exactly 50 off 86 balls. Samad continued his good form with the bat with a quick 33 in one ball less.

For the Caymans, Bovell was again outstanding with 3 for 47, as was Michael Wight with 3 for 32.

Due to their slow over-rate, the Caymans innings was reduced to 38 overs. Things looked good with their total at 49 for 1 after 8 overs. Then two unneccessary run outs, and two wickets in two balls by left-arm spinner Kevin Sandher rocked the Caymans to see them slide to 61 for 5 in the 12th over, and eventually reach 173 for 8 in 38 overs.

Pearson Best top-scored with 35, Bovell made 25, and David Wight was undefeated on 26. For Canada, the pick of the bowlers was captain De Groot with 3 for 40, while Sandher finished with 2 for 17.

All set for the final day of the 2002 Americas Cup, with three teams in with a chance of winning. The USA need to beat the Cayman Islands at Longchamps to win the tournament outright, while should the Caymans win, and Canada beat the Bahamas at Hurlingham, there will be a three-way tie at the top of the table, and most probably the teams will have to be separated by net run rate. In the other game, Argentina will be looking for their first win of the tournament against Bermuda at Belgrano. All games on this final day start at 09h30.

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