USA v Canada, Intercontinental Cup, May 28-30 May 29, 2004

USA fight back on second day

USA 136 and 87 for 2 require another 143 runs to beat Canada 221 and 145

A day of fluctuating fortunes has set up a fascinating final day in the Intercontinental Cup match at Florida. After Canada were bowled out for 145 in their second innings, USA closed on 87 for 2, needing 143 more runs to win on a wearing pitch.

John Davison quickly wrapped up the American innings, taking two further wickets to finish with a career best of 8 for 61. America were dimissed for 136, giving Canada a lead of 85, but they got off to a poor start, faltering to 14 for 2.

At lunch, they had fallen further to 50 for 5, and the wickets continued to tumble after the interval. Davison dropped down the order, but failed to halt the slide. Canada soon slipped to 97 for 8, but Sunil Dhaniram made an invaluable unbeaten 65, putting on nearly 50 runs with Ashish Patel and Easan Sinnathamby, to take the total to 145 and setting the USA 230 to win. In contrast to the first innings, it was the pace bowlers who did the damage, with Howard Johnson and Tony Reid each taking two wickets .

In reply, the USA lost Leon Romero, the former Trinidad and Tobago player, early on, and then Richard Staple. Mark Johnson and Steve Messiah then steadied the ship before the close.