Canada comfortably beat the USA today at the Central Broward Regional Park in a 50-over match. A fine bowling performance by Raza Rehman restricted USA to 194 after they had reached 94 without losing a wicket. A fine innings of 64 by Limbada, well supported by 40 from Gunasekera took Canada to a 4 wicket victory with 4 overs to spare.

Canada won the toss and chose to bowl. On a good batting pitch the USA made a solid start against a somewhat erratic Osinde and Gordon, despite losing captain Taylor retired hurt with an apparent pulled muscle. The run rate was slowed when Siddiqui and Cheema came on, and the pressure built up, despite no wickets falling. They advanced to 94 before Rehman had Perkins caught in the covers for 46 in the 22nd over. Siddiqui was rewarded for some excellent bowling when Stanford played a poor shot to be caught at cover and with the score on 96 Rehman had Ganesh lbw. The collapse continued when Siddiqui gained another lbw decision – 100/4. Siddiqui bowled his 10 overs for 29 and two wickets. Patel and former West Indies international McGarrell stopped the rot with a decent partnership of 44 before Cheema dismissed Patel. McGarrell batted well for his 26 before he was Rehman’s third victim, and Bartley was bowled for his fourth. after starring with the bat in the 2-day match, he cemented his place as a top-class all-rounder by completing his 5-wicket haul in his final over – 5-27 from 10. A run out in the final over ended the innings on 194, well short of what might be expected when USA were 94/0.

Canada got off to a flying start, thanks to an erratic opening over from Patel, with numerous wides and no-balls. Cheema didn’t last long, however caught for a single in the third over. Gunasekera went on to the attack immediately, and the fifty came up after 9 overs. He and Patel put on 56 before Patel was caught and bowled from a firm drive. Rehman was lbw first ball, leaving Canada at 70/3. Gunasekera made 40 before being caught, as Canada struggled against the spinners. Limbada and Damodar steadied the ship with a sensible partnership, rotating the strike with some excellent running between the wickets, without undue risk. Limbada completed an excellent half-century from 75 balls as Canada progressed steadily towards victory. They put on 92 before Damodar was run out by a direct hit for 36. Limbada made 64 with seven boundaries before being caught with just 12 needed for victory. Tariq Hamza and Hansra made heavy weather of accumulating that last 12 until both hit sixes and the game was won in the 46th over.

Dreamcricket report
Scorecard from CricHQ