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The ICC:

Insallah. So let it be written, so let it be said. The organizers of the World Cup made the prudent move of selling the global television rights to ICC sponsored events through to the end of 2007 for the price of $550 million (U.S.). The purchasers of the TV rights, "Global" have began to recoup their investment already. They are in negotiation with the ICC alleging that no shows by Britain and the Kiwi's in Nairobi and infringement of sponsorship restriction by India and its players cost them $50 million in lost revenues. It was a mistake that had to be made and the ICC had to get its feet wet at global marketing. The World Cup was not the financial success that was anticipated, and events that were so proudly announced during the World Cup have had to be cancelled. Canada will not be playing cricket in Nairobi along with the other designated Tier 1 countries, Holland, Scotland, UAE, Kenya, etc. in the latter part of 2003.

Canada:

Leading up to the World Cup not much was expected of Canada and not much was said. We made some mistakes in selection, Muneeb Diwan was dropped from the squad to South Africa. Canada opened its account against Bangladesh, February 11, 2003. Canada v Bangladesh - February 11, 2003 Canada v Kenya - February 15, 2003 etc.


Quick Links

Bangladesh	February 11, 2003
Kenya	February 15, 2003
Sri Lanka	February 19, 2003
West Indies	February 23, 2003
South Africa	February 27, 2003
New Zealand	March 03, 2003
Retrospective

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CANADA vs BANGLADESH
February 11, 2003

One for the books. Canada in upset win over Bangladesh. Canada 180 all out in 49.1 overs defeat Bangladesh 120 all out in 28 overs.





ODI # 1946
ICC World Cup, 2002/03, 5th Match
Bangladesh v Canada, Pool B
Kingsmead, Durban (day/night)
11 February 2003 (50- over match)



Result: Canada won by 60 runs
Points: Canada 4, Bangladesh 0
















Canada last played in a World Cup in 1979. When you looked at the cricinfo scorecard at the beginning of the match you saw 11 Canadian maiden odiÆs versus an experienced Bangladesh crew. The selection of the Canadian side was interesting, Barry Seebaran, B.C., was left out of the side. He has been one of the most economical of Canadian bowlers. Codrington, who didnÆt play much in the Associates Cup in 2001, was included in the side, a replacement for Diwan in the starting lineup. Canada won the toss and decided to bat and opened with Davison out 8. Chumney and Maraj added some runs but at this level you can not have your batsmen getting out in their 20Æs especially to run outs. Billcliff held the side together with a 42. Canada all out 180. The 2nd session can be summed up with one word û Codrington. 5 for 27 in 9 overs. Game Set Match Canada. We know the manager, skipper and coach will not pay a whit of attention but for the next match against Kenya you have to develop an additional batsman and bowler. You have to get the captain and vice into the game. Open with them and relegate Davison down the order to 8. The batting lineup is De Groot, Harris, Maraj, Chumney, Billcliff, Sattaur, Bagai, Davison, Thuraisingam, Codrington and Joseph. 14 wides in 28 overs is too much.

What is the ICC to do with the ECB. The ECB having aturned to Justice Sachs jurisdiction are now in contempt of his honours ruling. The ICC should do no less than suspend the English team from the balance of the competition and take them to Court for damages. As much as the ECB stands on the principal that the safety of its players is paramount, and a noble sentiment that is, there is also the principal of sanctity of contract and adherence to the rule of law. England is in breach of the latter and the ICC must hold its nose and punish the miscreant or risk being judged a tennis ball to be served and volleyed between the ACB and ECB.

There is a Canadian angle to this story. Barry Seebaran was suspended by the CCA for two years for leaving the field of play in the match versus India in K.L. Malaysia. If the CCA is consistent it must insist on no less a punishment for a side that doesn't make it on to the field of play. Of course there are extenuating circumstances, there always are.

Shane Warne fails drug test. I take it that the Oz will have to play with 14 the rest of the way. One of their bowlers, McGrath, breaks down or gets run down and look out. Lucky the Australian's didn't drew a Harare date.

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CANADA vs KENYA
February 15, 2003

Canada is in a contest with Kenya but losses by 4 wickets. Canada all out 197 in 49 overs. Kenya 198 in 48.3 overs





ODI # 1952
ICC World Cup, 2002/03, 12th Match
Canada v Kenya, Pool B
Newslands, Cape Town (day/night)
15 February 2003 (50- over match)


Result: Kenya won by 4 wickets
Points: Kenya 4, Canada 0
















Now we are through with the euphoria of beating Bangladesh and contesting with Kenya, we need to take inventory.

The seminal event leading up to the World Cup was that the head quarters of Canadian cricket moved for the time being from the Toronto Cricket and Skating Club to the Calypso Hut. The owner of the Calypso Hut bellied up to the bar and put his money where his mouth was in sponsoring the Canadian 15 to South Africa. If the financial heart beat of Canadian cricket is to be located at the Calypso Hut then I for one would nominate the owner of the Hut for the position of CCA Treasurer. The gentleman in question believes in his product and I have not seen that level of commitment from any member of the present executive. Listen my friend money doesn't talk, it shouts. Because the CCA has no money it takes what it can get from the ICC. If the representative from Kenya is correct the ICC estimates $80 million in profit from the World Cup to be divided among the 10 test playing countries. To the Canadians not a sou. The ICC pays the expenses and as in any barrow boy relationship you get what you get.

Out on the field we are a bowler who can bat and a mature specialist bat short going into the World Cup. John Davison is smoke and mirrors at opening. Chumney, despite his weakness to a slower ball and Maraj, are Canada's openers for the next while, let them open. That is our base. that is the foundation upon which we should experiment. We do not have the luxury of calling upon Diwan at #3, so Sattaur will have to do the job, else why was he picked on this squad. The other gaping-hole in the lineup is the presence of a bowler who can bat. Until we fill the void we need to play Seebaran as our 5 th bowler. De Groot, like Inzamam- ul- huq is out of form, but has to be in the starting lineup because he can fill a void at opening or # 3 or down the order, wicket keep in a pinch and bowl tidy.

Coming out of the World Cup our expatriate contingent of De Groot, Billcliff and Davison will be hard pressed to play cricket at $75 a day. We treated the Canadian coach shabbily and have a wrongful dismissed suit to contend with. The executive will be looking to the West Indies and for a share of their World Cup revenues, to buy the silence of their displaced coach. I hope he doesn't go cheap. As part of his settlement he should be rehired at the conclusion of the World Cup on a term to carry him through to the end of the next World Cup in the West Indies.

Next up Sri Lanka. Pray for rain. Win the toss. Put them in . Play Seebaran. Open with Maraj and Chumney. First through 25 overs wins.

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CANADA vs SRI LANKA
February 19, 2003

Not a contest Sri Lanka over Canada. Canada all out 36 in 18.4 overs. Sri Lanka 37 in 4.4 overs

ODI # 1958
ICC World Cup, 2002/03, 18th Match
Canada v Sri Lanka, Pool B
Boland Bank Park, Paarl
19 February 2003 (50- over match)


Result: Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets
Points: Sri Lanka 4, Canada 0
















The scoreboard said it all. No Canadian rose to the occasion. We lost the toss. It didn't rain. There was no Davison, De Groot or Billcliff to the rescue. The men from Serandip were at their devastating best.

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CANADA vs WEST INDIES
February 23, 2003

Canada is in a contest with West Indies. Canada all out 202 in 42.5 overs. West Indies 206 in 20.3 overs.







ODI # 1963
ICC World Cup, 2002/03, 24th Match
Canada v West Indies, Pool B
SuperSport Park, Cenurion
23 February 2003 (50- over match)



Result: West Indies won by 7 wickets
Points: West Indies 4, Canada 0

JM Davison's score is the highest by Canadian in ODIs (previous: 71 IS Billcliff v Kenya in Cape Town 2002/03). JM Davison and I Maraj's partnership of 96 set a new Canadian 1st wicket partnership in ODIs  (previous: 54 CJD Chappell and GR Sealy v Pakistan at Leeds, 1979). JM Davison 100 off 67 balls, 7 x 4, 6 x 6.

Wow. In an innings that apparently defies description Davison raced to his 100 in 67 balls, relaxed to score 11 runs over the next 10, only to be caught out in spectacular fashion on the 11th going for the big hit. The footnote to the innings was that De Groot finally got off the mark. Canada all out 202. De Groot is saving his best for last. Look out South Africa and New Zealand.

In an equally impressive response the Windies reached the required total in 20 odd overs and in the process damaged a few Canadian bowlers egos.

The CCA took some flak for having 4 expatriates Diwan, De Groot, Davison and Billcliff on the Canadian team at the Associates in Toronto in 2001. The CCA bowed to pressure and Diwan, for no apparent reason based on performance, was dropped from the side, to be replaced by ....!

The view that the future of cricket development in Canada is connected to the development of home grown product is parochial poppy cock;" Gather your rosebuds where you may". The likes of De Groot and the performance of Davison and Billcliff have given Canada instant credibility on the World Cricket stage. Going forward a lot of rose buds in the Canadian cricket machine need replacing. The search for replacements should neither be restricted by artificial quota's we impose on ourselves, nor begin or end in Toronto or in Canada and should be global. We should start by looking overseas for expatriate under 19's to fill the voids in our national team selection.

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CANADA vs SOUTH AFRICA
February 27, 2003

Canada is in a contest with South Africa. South Africa 254 in 50 overs. Canada 136 in 136 overs.

ODI # 1971
ICC World Cup, 2002/03, 32nd Match
Canada v South Africa, Pool B
Buffalo Park, East London
27 February 2003 (50- over match)


Result: South Africa won by 118 runs
Points: South Africa 4, Canada 0