USA and Singapore both wrapped up eye-catching victories on a thrilling third day of action at the ICC World Cricket League Division 3.
USA is now top of the table following the 158-run victory against Kenya, maintaining its 100 per cent winning start to the tournament in swash-buckling style.
Kenya is without a win from two games along with Denmark, who was beaten by a superb Singapore team by 94 runs in Oman.
Singapore has moved into third in the table level on points with Uganda, who is back in action on Tuesday against Kenya while host Oman plays Denmark.
Watch the full match highlights from the historic #TeamUSA win below.
USA v KENYA
Following Saturday’s opening victory against Uganda, USA arrived full of confidence and, despite losing the toss, it went in to bat with its tail up.
Monank Patel (26) and Jaskaran Malhotra (28) shared 46 for the first wicket – both scoring at quicker than a run a ball to kick USA off to a strong start, before Patel was caught off the bowling of Nehemiah Odhiambo.
Just three overs later Malhotra went lbw to Nelson Odhiambo but Kenya could not get on top of USA’s impressive top-order as Steven Taylor (41) and Aaron Jones (69) both scored well.
Taylor hit two fours and two sixes in his 35-ball innings while Jones, in contrast, hit three sixes but played a more measured innings totalling 118 deliveries. Hayden Walsh (48) also scored well as USA finished 254 all out, with Nelson Odhiambo (4-50) the pick of the Kenyan bowlers.
Kenya’s reply got off to a slow start with three wickets falling in the first four overs and from there it struggled to get back into the contest.
Opening bowler Ali Khan (3-36) caused plenty of problems and dismissed three of Kenya’s top four, including Irfan Karim for a duck.
Ali Khan + Jaskaran Malhotra = One of the best wicket-keeper catches you’ll ever see!! ✋?
The catch of @ICC #WCL3 tournament so far!? pic.twitter.com/ckPcGLGdfA
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 12, 2018
Rakep Patel (19) battled hard to keep Kenya in the match but Elmore Hutchinson took three middle-order wickets to help restrict the African side to 61-8, before Timil Patel took the final wicket to bowl Kenya out for 96.
Scores in brief
USA won by 158 runs at Oman Club Turf 1
USA 254, 50 overs (Aaron Jones 69, Hayden Walsh 48; Nelson Odhiambo 4-50)
Kenya 96, 26 overs (Raked Patel 19, Nehemiah Odhiambo 15; Elmore Hutchinson 3-17)
Singapore won by 94 runs at Oman Club Turf 2
Singapore 254, 49.3 overs (Aritra Dutta 87, Arjun Mutreja 57; Saif Ahmad 3-46)
Denmark 160, 35.4 overs (Hamid Shah 85, Saif Ahmad 23; Anantha Krishna 4-37)
Here’s the latest #WCL3 table after today’s games?
Every country has now played 2 matches, and #TeamUSA?? sit on top of the table! ?
The top 2 in the league after the full schedule of 5 matches will qualify for ICC World Cricket League Division 2 & the chance at ODI Status! pic.twitter.com/6tb5sLED9q
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 12, 2018
Upcoming matches:
13 November: Oman v Denmark (Oman Club Turf 1); Uganda v Kenya (Oman Club Turf 2)
15 November: Singapore v Uganda (Oman Club Turf 1); Denmark v USA (Oman Club Turf 2)
16 November: Oman v USA (Oman Club Turf 1); Kenya v Singapore (Oman Club Turf 2)
18 November: Kenya v Denmark (Oman Club Turf 1); Oman v Uganda (Oman Club Turf 2)
19 November: Singapore v USA (Oman Club Turf 1)
All matches start at 9.30am local time.
