Canada @ 2019 ICC WCL Division 2

[ray]

Game 1:
Canada 222/8
Hong Kong 223/3 (47.2 ov)
A tough loss in Canada's opener vs Hong Kong. It was a match that they would have hoped to upset their Asian opponents before they get going as was the case against UAE last year. Canada's batting was relatively good but they were unable to reach a 250 total they might have challenged Hong Kong. Jacobs did what was expected of him, scoring at a good rate. Dhaliwal and Wijeyeratne put up decent numbers and Adhihetty justified his place in the side. Unfortunately, the bowlers were unable to take enough wickets to stop Hong Kong from reaching the target.

The next pair of matches vs Oman and Namibia are near must-wins. Losses to those sides would leave them as likely 5th/6th place finishers. It doesn't help that both were winners today.

[ray]

Game 2:
Oman 285/7
Canada 186 all out (43.2)

Things are looking dire for Canada's international cricket as their period in the wilderness appears set to continue for at least another 3 years. Oman was one of the teams Canada would have been targeting to beat as they did easily last year. However, Oman has improved rapidly playing matches against strong competition. The Canadians are the only side without a win and must worry over who remains on their schedule that they can beat for a top 4 place.

Again the opposition has had a centurion while Canada has only had a single batman pass fifty with no one looking like posting an imposing total. Wickets were again the problem with Canada unable to keep Oman in check.

[Victorian]

I was feeling down about these results but then I thought that Canada can win against Namibia, PNG and the USA. Two wins and it will come down to net run rate for fourth place. Also, it won't be complete wilderness for the relagatees(?). They'll play many List A series. Canada will win most of those games.

[ray]

Game 3:
Namibia 256/6
Canada 160 (42.1 overs)

Unfortunately, Canada limply headed for another defeat and relegation to the Challenge Leagues. A rather telling stat is that the 2018 WCL2 squad had 53 wickets credited to their bowlers in 6 matches. To date, after 3 matches Canada's bowlers have taken 16. Combined with no batman making significant runs and it spells a dismal outcome. Whatever the reasons (selection, on-field tactics, preparation) Canada are not responding to the pressure this time.

^ You're an optimistic fellow, Victorian . That's a good thing. Canadian cricket could really use a bright side just now.

[Victorian]

!!!

[Victorian]

OK they're doomed. With net run rate they'll have to win both games by wide margins. People are criticising the selection but changes have been made to the lineup and it's made no difference. I seriously doubt that there are eleven players left behind in Canada that would be winning all these games.

[ray]

I tend to agree. The bulk of the team is the same as 2018 and at least one of the players left behind did not have outstanding numbers in previous WCLs. The team is losing by wide margins so this is not a matter of a single player changing the overall outcome. Rather, most players are not approaching their previous bests at this tournament. When that happens for multiple players, victories are unlikely.

I hope they figure it out so Canada can come to some decisions on the makeup of teams for the summer schedule.

[ray]

Game 4:
Papua New Guinea: 154 all out (44.2 ov)
Canada: 155/7 (34.2 ov)

Canada win their first match! Despite another batting collapse Canada manage to crawl over the line in no small part due captain Jacobs' unbeaten fifty.
With 5 down, Canada were teetering but Jacobs and Adhihetty brought the score to 125. Great test for the youngster.
Other results appear to be going in a way that would see Canada still still in contention for the top 4 into the last day. That would still require three favourable results, not the least of which is Canada defeating the powerful Americans.

Canada finally broke out of their shackles to bowl out a side for the first time in the tournament. Heyliger's four wicket were his first of the tournament.

With a day off, Canada have to figure out their ever-changing line-up to come up with a combination that will give them a shot at unlikely victory.

[ray]

Game 5:
Canada 255/4 (50 overs)
USA 215/9 (50 ov)

Pleased that Canada "showed up" for this match. At least they have given themselves a chance.
I like the team chosen even though Thomas and Weijeyeratne didn't succeed. Kumar stepped up with an essential fifty as did the captain. Finally we got the big score that was lacking. Good for Dhaliwal! At least they have given themselves a chance ...

Again ... Seriously?

9 wickets and unable to get the 10th is a painful memory for Canadian fans.
Well done to the team today! They beat a very strong USA ... but they'll be having a lot of "what if" scenarios playing out in their heads for the next 3 years.

Have to say, I didn't think it would be PNG that would be the team to grab the last ODI spot. The final day of the final World Cricket League tournament continues to spring surprises.

[Victorian]

I really wonder...did Oman play all their backups? They should use a game like that for development, USA should have done the same, but a lousy game affects the future of other teams.