KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, CMC – Freddie Klokker’s unbeaten century propelled Denmark to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Bermuda, who left out leading all-rounder Kamau Leverock from their opening ICC World Cricket League Division Four match at the Royal Selangor Club here on Sunday following a public outburst.
Reports said 23-year-old Leverock was omitted after an expletive-laden rant at the team’s final training session at Kinrara Oval before the start of the week-long tournament.
It was not immediately clear what sparked Leverock’s tirade or how long he will remain out of the side, which faces Uganda today.
Bermuda officials declined comment in the wake of the defeat.
ESPNcricinfo reporter Peter Della Penna, who was close to the training session, reported: “Young Bermuda allrounder Kamau Leverock is throwing a mini-tantrum at Kinrara Oval training session. Just stormed out of the nets, knocked over a box of bottled water, took off his boots, chucked his Bermuda hat on the ground while unleashing some F-bombs. Unclear what sparked it.”
He added: “Leverock briefly went back for a batting net after bowling, but has stormed off again after three balls, unleashing another F-bomb tirade while heaving his helmet into the pavilion chair back seats and chucking his bat on the ground. Hopefully, he saves some energy for tomorrow.”
Bermuda made a promising start with the bat in Leverock’s absence at the top of the order, reaching 134 for one after being sent in but then collapsed spectacularly.
Wicketkeeper Okera Bascome struck four sixes and six fours in his 63 off 41 balls in an opening stand of 81 with captain Terryn Fray (32) and although number three Tre Manders followed up with 40 from 56 balls Bermuda collapsed from 134 for one to 155 for seven as the middle order folded.
Number eight Charles Trott rallied the tail with 36 off 45 balls to help Bermuda past the 200-run mark but slow left-arm bowler Bashir Khan shackled the batting with three for 17 from 10 overs.
In the absence of Leverock’s pace bowling the Danes made light of their target as opener Klokker finished on 108 not out from 130 balls, with eight fours and a six, as he and new captain Hamid Shah (48 not out) added an unbeaten 115 for the third wicket.
In the day’s other games, hosts Malaysia clinched a nine-run win over Uganda with a controversial last-over run-out while Jersey won the battle of the Channel Islanders versus the Pacific Islanders with a seven-wicket win over Vanuatu.
Both teams earlier came up from Division Five.
