Bermuda's Hurdle jumps all over UAE with career-best figures

But home side hits back in bowler-dominated first day of ICC Intercontinental Cup clash

Bermuda fast bowler Kevin Hurdle jumped all over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) batsmen on day one of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match in Abu Dhabi.

Hurdle scaled new heights by securing his maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with 6-45 as the UAE was skittled out for a lowly 143.

However four-day first-class cricket for the leading Associate sides is more a marathon than a sprint and the home side hit back before the close, restricting Bermuda to 98-4 in reply.

At six feet and five inches tall it certainly is a case of high Hurdle as far as the visitors are concerned and on Thursday the UAE's batsmen never got over the 30-year-old's lively bowling.

Operating with fire and venom Hurdle returned his best figures in seven first-class matches.

It was a real high for Bermuda coming off the back of a tough trip to Africa which included losses against Kenya in ODIs and this competition as well as Uganda in one-day matches.

But the islander's batsmen found the going just as tough when they took guard and by the close Bermuda still trailed by 45 with just six wickets in hand.

The good news for the side coached by former West Indies batsman Gus Logie is that one of the unbeaten batsmen is the in-form David Hemp.

The vice-captain, who leads UK county side Glamorgan during the northern summer, scored twin half-centuries in the eight-wicket loss to Kenya last week and he is 21 not out overnight.

With Hemp is captain Irving Romaine on eight not out.

The UAE's batsmen began the day cautiously and openers Gayan Silva (17) and Arshad Ali (18) carried them to 42.

But just when it seemed that the home team would make full use of batting first, Hurdle returned for his second spell - and the hosts fell at that second Hurdle in startling fashion.

After Malachi Jones provided the breakthrough by dismissing Arshad, Hurdle got to work and was well supported by Janeiro Tucker, who finished with 3-29 as the UAE lost all 10 wickets for only 101 runs.

Saqib Ali’s first outing as UAE captain ended in utter disappointment as he faced 21 balls for his duck before being cleaned up by Hurdle.

This match is the last in the tournament in 2007 with the remaining games to be played next year ahead of the final, which will take place at a date and location to be confirmed.