Dave Liverman for Canada Cricket Online
Cricket Canada announced a preliminary World Cup squad of thirty players shortly before Christmas, to be pared down to 15 in January. The core of this squad was pretty much set already, and it seems that the selectors have used the ability to name thirty players to provide some encouragement to players and provinces across the country, while realistically not expecting some of those named to be close to playing for Canada in February.
It would be thought that the thirty names would include all of those selected for Canada’s tour and training session in India (lthough not all those selected actually took part, due to a combination of work schedules and visa issues). The final list of thirty however has two notable omissions – the New Zealand pair of Ian Billcliff and Geoff Barnett, both former first-class cricketers and veterans of numerous Canadian sides.
The media release from Cricket Canada was silent on the omission of Barnett, but in the case of Billcliff chair of the selectors commented
“Unfortunately we were unable to line up our schedules with the preparation tours and we had to leave him out.”
It’s worth noting perhaps that John Davison also was unavailable for these tours – but is included. There’s no doubt that Billcliff was nearing the end of his career – he’s 38 and no longer playing top-level cricket in New Zealand. His career for Canada however is distinguished- he captained the side in 2004, and has played an important part in qualification for three World Cups. He has played for Canada 81 times in all forms of competition, scoring over 2000 runs.
His experience undoubtedly would be an asset to this team, and perhaps there’s more to the story than the reasons provided by the selectors. It seems odd that he would be in consideration in October when the touring squad to India was announced, and omitted in favour of untried and unproven players now. Perhaps Billcliff himself has decided, with two World Cups under his belt, that it is time to focus on other priorities.
The same may be true of Geoff Barnett. Barnett however is by no means at the end of his career- at 26 years old he should be entering his prime. He has played over 50 times for Canada and his nearly 1500 runs includes three centuries. Barnett is a player who on form looks full of class – his driving through the off-side in particular is magnificent – yet he has failed to find consistency. His form has fallen off- his last first-class season in New Zealand was three winters ago, and was a disaster- a highest score of 19 in nine innings. He had a decent World Cup four years ago, and was clearly in the selector’s minds this autumn, only to be discarded without a word in this final squad. Perhaps Barnett’s recent form does not inspire selection- but any examination of Rizwan Cheema’s run of scores for Canada this summer would indicate that form was not a criterion in selection (he’s been out for less than 10 in sixteen of his last twenty innings). It seems more likely that Barnett was unwilling to provide the level of commitment to the Canadian cause that the selectors thought was required.
There are other familiar names absent from the list, but these perhaps come as no surprise as the players had not been part of the Canada set-up over the last few months. Sunil Dharniram retired, then unretired again this summer but age has caught up with Canada’s best player of the 2006 World Cup. Asif Mulla, Qasir Ali, and Abdool Samad were all part of the last World Cup squad, but also have slipped out of contention.
There are some unfamiliar names among the thirty named, and some of these players have to date not been part of the national set-up at any level. Some effort with Google reveals some fragmentary information on these newcomers. There are two Manitobans. Zeeshan Siddiqui, a right hand upper order batsman had 4 centuries and an average of 88 in Manitoba league play. Waleed Ahmad is a young right-arm medium pacer who bowls economically and took three wickets against Ontario in this summer’s Interprovincial tournament. Grant Broadhurst from Calgary is an opening bowler, and had modest success in the Interprovincials. Junaid Siddiqui is an all-rounder playing in Toronto, with an average of 29 with the bat, and 11 wickets at 20 last season. Manrick Singh from Vancouver is an all rounder with 20 wickets at 13.6 in the Vancouver league this year; he went wicketless at the Interprovincial tournament but made 85 against Quebec.
It is very unlikely that any of these players will be close to the final squad of 15- in fact they will have no opportunity to advance their cause. They’ve been named to this squad presumably as recognition of their potential, and to provide encouragement. Some have suggested that a geographic range of players has been provided for political reasons, but the absence of any players from Quebec suggests this is not the case.
Providing encouragement is all well and good, but this is a World Cup squad. We are looking at a squad to face Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia. Surely, then, every player on the list should have shown they are capable of playing at the highest level. And Barnett and Billcliff, despite age or form issues, are certainly more experienced, more capable, and proven against top-class bowling. There has been reaction over the years to the inclusion of these players who are Canadian by accident of birth only; it has cost a lot of money to fly them in for domestic games, and it is argued that outside of playing they contribute little to cricket in Canada. If their omission reflects this view, then it is unfortunate. Canada needs the best side possible going into the World Cup, and these two should be in it – or at the very least in the squad of thirty.
If this does represent the end of their Canadian careers- and in Ian Billcliff’s case it almost certainly does – then we should thank them for their service to Canadian cricket. They have made genuine sacrifices in order to represent Canada, taking huge amounts of time away from family and careers. Good luck to both of them in the future.
And with the first phase of the selection is complete, it is time to look forward, and let’s hope that from this group of thirty will come fifteen who can allow Canada to put in a respectable performance at the World Cup. 2010 was overall a poor year for the national team, so here’s to a much better 2011!