A North West Warriors select hosted the USA in Bready's second game on Monday and Bobby Rao's team provided a knocking good practice test, eventually going down to a final ball defeat.
With the contest reduced to 15 overs per side following a 45-minute rain delay Bobby Rao's men were indebted to Oraine Williams whose 47 gave their innings a much needed boost.
The Eglinton man was only drafted in after Jarred Barnes was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury but he certainly took his chance.
Williams hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his innings while Marco Marais with 20 was next best.
Timil Patil (4-19) and Hammad Shahid were best with the ball for the Americans.
The reply started brightly with Fahad Barbar and Akeem Dodson putting on 45 in little more than 6 overs before the spin of Ross Allen broke them up- bowling the former for 27.
A mix up between Babar and Nicholas Stanford ended with the opener run out for 17 soon after, and the USA's running between the wickets was certainly giving their coach a few concerns.
The Warriors attack was all spin now and Rishi Chopra made it 60-3 when he bowled Stanford (3) to breathe life into the game.
Allen claimed his second wicket in the 10th over when he had Japen Patel caught behind after a bit of a juggle by Ricky-Lee Dougherty for 6 (2 balls- 6 and out).
With 4 overs remaining the visitors still needed 39 but Shiva Vashishat helped up the ante as he and Adil Bhatti took 22 off the next couple.
There was to be a sting in the tail however as Scott Campbell bowled the last over and kept it really tight despite having just 3 runs to play with.
The Coleraine man conceded 3 off the first 4 balls and with the scores tied, Marco Marais then snapped up a superb catch to end Bhatti's innings for 20.
The US did manage to scramble the one run needed to win off the last delivery with Vashishat finishing 30 not out.
A decent game and a good work-out for the USA ahead of the real business this weekend.



Our smartphone coverage for Ireland, Scotland, The Netherlands and Jersey includes live coverage, news, photographs, results, scorecards, and lots more!