Toronto (August 7, 2019): Tuesday morning storms resulted in both scheduled Canada GT20 second round games washed out without a ball bowled but may add to the pressure on today’s last second round match between Montreal Tigers and Toronto Nationals. The point picked up by Winnipeg Hawks from the No Result against defending champion Vancouver Knights took the Hawks into third place, level on 5 points with Montreal Tigers but above the Tigers on net run rate (NRR). Winnipeg Hawks NRR of -0.722, is better than the Tigers NRR of -1.626. So a loss by the Tigers against the Nationals today would put the Tigers out of the tournament.
Toronto Nationals (Won 2, Lost 3, Points 4) need to win against the Tigers to fly ahead of the Winnipeg Hawks (Won 2, Lost 3, No Result 1, Points 5) on points in the standings. A win for the Tigers would move them to 6 points, one more than the Hawks and leave the Nationals in fifth place, and out of the tournament.
Brampton Hawks are safe at the top of the standings with 9 points, followed by Vancouver Knights safe in second place with 8 points. The Hawks and Knights will meet in Thursday’s Playoff Game 1 (12.30pm start). The teams in third and fourth places after the second round has ended will meet in the Eliminator game on Thursday (4.30pm).
So there’s a lot at stake for Montreal Tigers and Toronto Nationals in today’s game. Let’s hope the possible showers for this morning and possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm steer clear of the Brampton/Mississauga border area where the CAA Centre is located.
An abandoned game would see Montreal Tigers move to safety on 6 points, one more than Winnipeg Hawks. Toronto Nationals would move up to 5 points but would place above the Hawks due to a better NRR if today’s game ended as a No Result. Nationals NRR is currently – 0.035; better than the Hawks -0.722.
What the tournament needs is for cricket to be played and enjoyed. What could be better to achieve this than a game where both teams need to win in order to remain in the hunt for the GT20 championship?