Gus Logie, Bermuda's coach. - file

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC):

BERMUDA CAPTAIN Irving Romaine has expressed delight over finishing the World One-Day League in Kenya on a high note, beating finalists Scotland by five wickets on Monday to salvage some pride ahead of next month's Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

Romaine told the Royal Gazette that on the previous evening national coach Gus Logie had again emphasised the need for batsmen to build on good starts, and it was at the back of his mind.

"It's just sad we're so inconsistent, up and down, up and down - one good game and then one bad game," Romaine, voted Man of the Match, said. "But regardless, this is a great way to finish the tour." Romaine struck an unbeaten 85 and featured in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 134 with Lionel Cann, who stroked 49 not out as Bermuda reached their winning target of 269 with an over to spare.

Bermuda had previously lost badly to Holland, Canada, Ireland and eventual champions Kenya.

"You have no idea how happy I am," said all-rounder Romaine. "I needed a big one (innings) and Lionel needed to finish one, and we had a big meeting last night (Sunday) just about this ... about our batsmen following up good starts.

"We both desperately wanted big scores today (Monday) and it came together in the end, we did it. Until our next tournament, we're on a high. Scotland didn't want to lose this. They played the game hard and we played even harder."

Romaine admitted that had his side played as well throughout the Kenya tour it might have been Bermuda rather than Scotland playing in the final.

Silencing critics

Cann said the victory should help silence some of the critics.

"It proves we're a good team," he said. "I've been in good form the whole tournament and I just haven't carried on. The coach has been telling me off for not carrying on, but today I had a partner who I felt really comfortable with.

"My skipper batted so well, he just needed support and I didn't need to race at all. My form just followed through.

"It's good for all of us. This has been a long, hard tournament. There's a lot of good teams here. We've found it hard, but we haven't been blown away at all.

"It's all about belief. It goes to show what we can do, guys want to go to the World Cup and they know what it takes.

"Today, we put it all together. Usually, we have a good innings bowling and then not batting, and vice versa. But today everything was on. Today we put it all together and it shows we're a quality team. We just have to be more consistent."

Before Bermuda head to St. Vincent and the Grenadines next month for Cricket World Cup warm-up matches against England and Zimbabwe, they will take on Canada and Bangladesh - one of Bermuda's group stage opponents in Trinidad - in a triangular tournament later this month in Antigua and Barbuda.

Selectors are expected to name Bermuda's 15-man World Cup party shortly.