Canada is playing warm up matches for the upcoming Americas T20 competition in Houston against a “Smart Choice America XI. They won the first match comfortably thanks to half centuries from captain Cheema and Wijeyeratne, plus a good bowling performance from Dutta.
Canada got off to a quick start against an attack featuring former West Indies quick bowler Mervyn Dillon. Cheeks and Gunasekera (24) put on 46 for the first wicket. Cheema and Wijeyeratne took the score to 82/1 at the halfway mark. Cheema (54) reached a 37 ball half century in the 12th over before becoming the second wicket to fall. Wijeyeratne also reached his 50 but Canada failed to take advantage of the good start, making 172/5 from their 20 over.
Cecil Pervez (2/29) and Nikhil Dutta (3/15) led the bowlers as the Americas XI never kept up with the run rate, finishing on 146/7. Canada play the same opponents at 11 am on 29 April.