Nineteen stone Leverock can't save lightweight Bermuda

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Mar 5 (Reuters) Bermuda's batsmen must be hoping spinner and police driver Dwayne Leverock does not throw his weight around back at the hotel after they undid his good work with the ball today.

The 241-run defeat to England in the World Cup warm-up will reopen the debate about whether minor nations such as Bermuda should be competing at the top level. England skittled them out for 45 today in 22.2 overs.

Leverock, whose weight has topped 21 stone, came out with great credit, however, after bagging two for 32 including the prize scalp of Kevin Pietersen in England's 286 for eight.

''We just basically do not seem to put two parts together.

With the batting I think we gave it away,'' he told reporters.

''I have been the leading wicket-taker for Bermuda for the last four years. The wicket gave me some turn and bounce so I used it to my advantage.'' The 35-year-old slow left-armer, who was a 110 metre hurdler as a teenager, said he had slimmed down to about 19 stone (120 kg) for the World Cup.

England captain Michael Vaughan was impressed with Leverock's performance and reckoned the slow Caribbean pitches could play into the hands of the spinners.

''He bowled very well. Any spinner that drags Kevin Pietersen out of his crease and does him in the flight, it is a good delivery,'' he said.

Vaughan added that he felt fine after scoring 18 and fielding for 10 overs as he continued to build up his fitness ahead of the World Cup following knee and hamstring injuries.

All five of his pace bowlers were used in the 13-player-a-side format and Vaughan must now decide who gets the nod for Friday's final warm-up with holders Australia and their opening group match with New Zealand in St. Lucia on March 16.

They also face Canada (March 18) and Kenya (March 24) in group C.

''It gives us a headache and we are happy to have that headache,'' he said.

Reuters SRS VP0300