The Team USA opener hit exactly 100 and was ably supported by Steven Taylor’s 88 as the USA, having been put in by their opponents, amassed a total of 280 for eight from their 50 overs.
That always looked like being beyond Hong Kong, for whom Kinchit Shah impressed with both bat and ball in the losing effort.
Shah took a four-for in USA’s innings and then top scored with 45 in Hong Kong’s reply but the going was tough as Karima Gore (2-49) led a balanced bowling effort from the Americans.
Hong Kong were always behind the required rate and while Aizaz Khan (35 not out) and Ehsan Khan (31 not out) did their best, they ended up 84 runs short in Windhoek and might well need to beat Namibia in their final game if they are to secure a top-four finish.
USA Coach Pubudu Dassanayake said: “As a team we have worked really hard for the last two and half years and we have targeted this tournament. The boys are feeling great, it is a big achievement as the USA have never been to this level before and we are very happy to be in (ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup) League 2. Moving forward playing competitive ODI cricket for the next 2 and half years is another level, bringing the team to this will require more hard work. We are going to press hard in the next game, we want to win the tournament and be the best team leaving Namibia.”
Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath said:” It is obviously not good to lose, the USA simply outplayed as today, we have to pick ourselves up and next game against Namibia is very crucial. Tomorrow we will reflect and recover. We were bailed out today by Canada beating PNG, makes the next round of games very very crucial for all four teams and hopefully we will not leave it to chance and beat Namibia.”
Scores in brief
Canada won by three wickets at Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Papua New Guinea 154 all out, 44.2 overs (Assad Vala 82; Dillon Heyliger 4-41, Romesh Eranga 2-23)
Canada 155-7, 34.2 overs (Davy Jacobs 52 not out, Bhavindu Adhihetty 22; Nosaina Pokana 2-20)
USA won by 84 runs at United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek
USA 280-8, 50 overs (Xavier Marshall 100, Steven Taylor 88; Kinchit Shah 4-37)
Hong Kong 196-7, 50 overs (Kinchit Shah 45, Aizaz Khan 35 not out; Karima Gore 2-49)
Oman won by four wickets at Affies Park, Windhoek
Namibia 213-9, 50 overs (JJ Smit 60, Zane Green 46; Fayyaz Butt 3-52, Khawar Ali 2-23)
Oman 214-6, 49.1 overs (Sandeep Goud 57 not out; Suraj Kumar 51; Jan Frylinck 3-34)
Points table
|
Team |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Points |
NNR |
|
Oman |
4 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
0.686 |
|
USA |
4 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
1.105 |
|
Namibia |
4 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0.923 |
|
Hong Kong |
4 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
-0.529 |
|
Canada |
4 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
-0.74 |
|
PNG |
4 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
-1.512 |
UPCOMING TOURNAMENT MATCHES
Thursday, 25 April – Rest/Reserve Day
Friday, 26 April – Canada v USA, Wanderers; Namibia v Hong Kong, WAP; PNG v Oman, Trustco UNITED
Saturday, 27 April – Final, Wanderers (ODI); 3rd v 4th Playoff (ODI), WAP; 5th v 6th Playoff, Trustco UNITED
All matches start at 09h30 local time.
