Sadiki Bolt sparks as Melbourne level series

SOMERSET, Bermuda (CMC):

Sadiki Bolt struck a half-century as touring Jamaican club Melbourne Cricket Club levelled their three-match 50 overs series against Bermuda with a comfortable five-wicket victory in a rain-affected match at Somerset Cricket Club on Sunday.

Bolt led the reply with 65 after seamer Denva Passley and leg spinner Dwayne Thompson helped skittle out Bermuda for a below-par 201 in 43.5 overs with three wickets apiece, Melbourne reaching their Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 195 in 47 overs, due to a rain delay, with 20 balls to spare.

The decider will be held today after Bermuda won last Saturday's opener by 34 runs.

Bermuda lost the early wickets of Treadwell Gibbons (six), Tre Manders (16) and skipper Stephen Outerbridge (11), before veteran all-rounder Janeiro Tucker (64) and opener Jason Anderson (34) revived the innings, but when Anderson was caught at mid-off, he was quickly joined in the pavilion by Rodney Trott (two) and Malachi Jones (17).

Tucker reached his half-century from 45 balls with a huge six off Melbourne skipper Andre McCarthy, but perished when he was bowled by Passley (3-40) going for another big hit to leave Bermuda reeling at 174-7, having struck five sixes and two fours. Thompson finished with 3-22 and opening batsman Tarique White 2-27.

In reply, Melbourne lost Jon-Ross Campbell for one, but White (39) and Bolt swung the game firmly Melbourne's way with a second-wicket stand of 68, before skipper McCarthy carried on the good work with a knock of 34.

Bolt, the younger brother of sprint champion Usain, reached his half-century off 71 balls, but he led a charmed life. He was put down by pace bowler Jones off his own bowling, survived a run-out attempt, and was caught in the slips by Tucker only for Jones to be called for a no-ball.

Jones finally got his man when he bowled Bolt, who stroked six fours, but the damage was already done and Tafari Williams (seven not out) and Thompson (12 not out) quickly added 28 for the sixth wicket to seal victory.

Off-spinner Rodney Trott was Bermuda's most successful bowler with 2-27 from his 10 overs.