An excellent bowling and fielding performance from Canada led to a win over Hampshire in their opening match of the Caribbean 20-20. Canada put up a respectable total of 129/7 and excellent bowling from Desai and Hansra, well supported by the field, gave Canada a comfortable 23 run victory.
Canada won the toss, and chose to bat, looking sharp in their new black Reebok kit. The wicket was not easy, but the Canadians never really got on top of the Hampshire bowling.They got off to a steady start, with Gunasekera looking in good touch, playing some nice offside shots. Patel was run out by a direct hit trying a quick single with the score on 39. Gunasekera, on his 20-20 debut, made 29 before he was bowled trying to steer a straight ball to 3rd man and captain Bagai followed shortly afterwards, a leading edge balooning to the bowler as he tried to turn to leg.
Tyson Gordon kept the scoreboard ticking over, playing some nice shots, but Canada failed to accelerate in the middle overs. Cheema clearly was struggling to time the ball, and even the six he hit over mid-on was not middled. He persisted and seemed to be finding his touch with a well hit pulled six off England bowler Simon Jones before mistiming a hook to be caught in the deep. He recorded the top-score of 31. Some good fielding in the final overs saw two run-outs, and a target of 130 should not be beyond this young Hampshire squad.
When Canada bowled, Khurram Chohan gave up 10 runs from his first over, but settled down to bowl an excellent second. Both openers had escapes in the 3rd over – Cheema dropped a sharp chance at short cover, then missed a much easier chance 2 balls later. Hansra was the unfortunate bowler. Hansra was bowling well and finally was rewarded – Adams tried to slog him over mid-wicket and was comprehensively bowled. Hansra had more ill-luck in his final over when Rao put down another chance- he deserved better than a single wicket from his four overs for just 14 runs. Desai struck immediately, a well-flighted ball deceiving and bowling Myburgh. Catching apart, Canada were fielding well, led by an immaculate performance by Bagai behind the stumps. They were rewarded with two run-outs, Gunasekera with an outstanding direct hit, and Surkari being the fielders. Desai bowled an outstanding spell capped by his second wicket, and conceded just 15 runs. Wickets continued to fall and the run-rate rose as the Hampshire batsmen struggled to find the boundary. Chohan bowled a fine 19th over, leaving a near impossible 32 runs required from the 20th.
Canada showed the benefits of their pre-Christmas Indian venture in accurate bowling (no wides conceded) and athletic fielding. Hampshire were by no means a full-strength side, and had little preparation- but these were the UK 20-20 champions. A very professional win over a first-class side is to be savoured.