Akeem Dodson Stars In USA Win Over Jersey
The United States of America picked up its first points at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 after a five-wicket win over Jersey in a Group A clash at Bready on Wednesday (July 15).
Opting to field, three-wicket hauls from pacers Naseer Jamali (4-0-12-3) and Hammad Shahid (4-0-24-3) helped USA dismiss Jersey for just 87 in 17.3 overs, before its batsmen chased down the target in 15.4 overs.
Naseer Jamali making his debut in T20 format of the game picked up 3 wickets for 12 runs. Top photo, Akeem Dodson poses with his man-of-the-match award, after having a record six dismissals behind the stumps and hitting 31 as USA beat Jersey. Photos: Oliver McVeigh / ICC / SPORTSFILE
Jersey needed a big effort from its bowlers after a poor batting display, but a 60-run opening stand between Fahad Babar (30) and Akeem Dodson (31) helped USA chase down the modest target despite slight stutters in the middle.
USA was cruising at 60 for no loss but suffered a scare when Dodson and Alex Amsterdam fell in successive balls in the 11th over. Left-arm spinner Nat Watins (3.4-0-15-3) then struck again in the 13th over to give Jersey some hope, but it was too late as USA reached the target with more than four overs to spare.
Earlier, USA got off to a perfect start as its pacers rocked Jersey early. Jersey’s captain Peter Gough was the first to go when he fell for seven to Jamali in the third over and Jonty Jenner, the No. 3, followed in the very next over, edging Shahid to the wicketkeeper.
Jersey was jolted early and its batsmen struggled to cope with USA’s disciplined bowling. Jamali and Shahid ran through the top order to reduce Jersey to 47 for six within ten overs, with the pacers sharing the wickets between them.
Jersey never recovered after the early strikes. Anthony Kay tried to counterattack and hit two boundaries on his way to a 17-ball 18, but once he fell to Adil Bhatti in the 15th over, leg spinner Timil Patel wrapped up the remaining two wickets to bowl Jersey out cheaply.
Jersey did not even last the 20 overs and only three batsmen got to double-digit scores, with the highest partnership being 19 for the eighth wicket between Kay and Charles Perchard.
