In a game where Denmark started as surprising favourites, they gained some minor revenge on Bermuda winning by 5 wickets at a sunny Svanholm Park, Brondby near Copenhagen. The Danes would not have forgotten their defeat to Bermuda in the ICC Trophy in 2005, which eliminated them from World Cup contention, and they definitely came to play.

Bermuda won the toss and rightly so elected to bat on what seemed an even track offering a bit for both bat and ball. This decision did not pay dividends. With the first four overs bringing maidens, Denmark’s opening duo of Thomas and Henrik Hansen caused problems for the visitors, hitting trouble areas regularly. The extra pace and bounce of Henrik and the swing and subtle variations of Thomas asked questions every ball before Thomas struck twice in an over to have them 2 for 4.

From then on the middle order crumbled as Thomas Hansen continued to unsettle the under strength Bermudian batting line up with an excellent display of pace bowling. Little resistance came as Thomas took wickets at will, claiming the next five wickets to have Bermuda shell shocked at 7 for 39.

Hansen’s figures, the best in Danish international cricket history, read 7 for 13 off 10 overs, an outstanding performance from the ex-Hampshire seamer. Lionel Cann, Denmark’s destroyer in the ICC Trophy, came to the crease and continued the carnage he displayed back in Ireland. Cann threatened a major comeback, hitting three massive sixes on his way to 35, but he then succumb to the left arm spin of Bashir Shah, who finished with 2 for 28 off 7. After his dismissal the tail offered little resistence, all out for 113.

Denmark’s innings started well as Derbyshire’s Freddie Klokker and Carsten Pedersen opened up, clearly looking to see off the new ball. Denmark hit a speed bump as both Pedersen brothers fell leaving Denmark 2 for 37. Then a 42 run stand for the third wicket by Klokker and Max Overgaard settled the home team, the two batsman working the singles well and hitting the odd boundary. Klokker, after a super impressive knock of 43, fell to the persistence of World Cup celebrity Dwayne Leverock. Overgaard fell immediately after for 18 causing a slight concern, but the Danish kept their cool, strolling on to finish 5 for 114, ironically the star of the show Thomas Hansen hitting the winning runs. Leverock the pick of the bowlers, consistently causing problems claiming 2 for 19 off 8. The stage is set for a much improved effort from the Bermudians tomorrow as they look to improve before their trip to Holland.