CHENNAI: Although a minnow in their group (A), which consists teams like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Canada can ruin the happiness of some of its big brothers. And do not be too surprised if the associate nation makes it to the quarterfinal stages.
Consider this. Ten of the 15 players in the Canada squad have their roots in Asia. So when other countries are likely to struggle in adapting to the sub-continental conditions, Canada coach Pubudu Bathiya Dassanayake feels that it will be more of a homecoming for his team. “I feel it will be more of returning to home for my boys. Most of the players have had the experience of playing on the subcontinent wickets,” said Dassanayake, who has his origins in Sri Lanka.
The former Lanka wicket-keeper added: “Guys like Khurram Chohan, Parth Desai and Balaji Rao played domestic cricket in India. Our captain Ashish Bagai was also born in Delhi. So I feel they will surely bring in all their experience to show the world that they are no pushovers. Canada’s batting fortunes will largely revolve around John Davison and Bagai. “While Bagai and John Davison will guide the team, I am confident that under-19 players Hiral Patel, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Nitish Kumar and the spinning duo of Desai and Rao will come hard on the opposition,” he said. Canada played in three World Cups so far, and their biggest moment came when they won a match against Bangladesh in 2003. Speaking of individual achievements, Davison earned the accolades of pundits when he scored the then fastest century (100 of 67 balls) in WC history against West Indies.
On playing their first match against Sri Lanka Dassanayake said in the professional world, the sentiments take a back seat. “I love my country, but being a professional I would want Canada to beat Sri Lanka. As a coach nothing satisfies you more than to see your wards do well in the WC,” he signed off.
