The T20 World Cup qualifier was the end of the 2013 international season for Canada, a season that was highly disappointing in terms of results on the field. There were successes, notably the Under 19 squad who won the Americas qualifying competition, and the women’s team had their first real experience of international competition, albeit not with much success.
The senior mens team, however had a poor season. Canada finished bottom of the InterContinental Cup table, bottom of the World Cricket League 50-over table, and 12th in the T20 qualifier. A strong series against the USA and a ICC win over the Netherlands provided a brief bright period in the year.
The national team had been consistently among the top associates for more than a decade, with ICC Trophy finishes of 7th (1997), 3rd (2001), 3rd (2005), playing in the World Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2011, and playing in the finals of the Intercontinental Cup in 2004 and 2007. The decline since the 2011 World Cup has been startling, especially as the team that competed in 2011 was comparatively young, and looked to have a bright future. The national body certainly made serious efforts to develop the national team, with good support in terms of pre-tournament tours, introduction of central contracts, the National Cricket League program and more. The measure of success however is the performance on the field, and unless Canada can manage to finish in the top two in January’s World Cup qualifying tournament there’s no doubt some serious decisions will have to be made about the future of the programme.
The 2013 season started with the senior men’s team tour to Trinidad and Tobago, and it set the tone for the year, with one side losses in all the matches in February. 2013 saw the conclusion of Canada’s World Cricket League campaign. The high point was a game rained off against the Netherlands, with losses against Kenya, UAE and Netherlands. Canada finished bottom of the table- played 14, one win and two no results. The Intercontinental Cup record for the year was better – a loss to Kenya, the better part of a draw against UAE and a good win over the Netherlands – but the final placing of 6th in the 8 team tournament again points to a decline.
The WCT20 qualifier was a disaster for Canada. They placed 12th behind not only teams they have struggled against in recent years but many of the second ranked associates – Italy, Hong Kong, PNG and Nepal.
Dave Liverman for Canada Cricket Online
Full record
Feb 2013 Canada in Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago v Canada 3 day l by inn & 130 r
Trinidad and Tobago v Canada T20 – lost by 9 w
Trinidad and Tobago v Canada T20 – lost by 86 r
Trinidad and Tobago v Canada 50 over – l by 5 w
Mar 2013 Canada v Kenya in Dubai
Canada v Kenya WCL 50 overs lost by 6 w
Canada v Kenya WCL 50 overs lost by 6 w
Canada v Kenya T20 friendly – won by 5 w
Canada v Kenya T20 friendly – lost by 21 r
Canada v Kenya ICC Cup – lost by 4 w
July U19 Americas- won competition
July Women’s WC qualifer
Sri Lanka- l by 9 w
Ireland – l by 77 r
Japan – w by 5 w
Shield semi – lost to Thailand by 13 r
July USA in Canada
2-day Auty Cup game- drawn, Canada win on first innings
50 over match- no result
T20- w by 5 w
T20 – w by 78 r
UAE in Canada- August
ICC Cup – drawn, Canada 13 pts on first innings lead
WCL 50 overs – l by 46 runs
WCL 50 overs – l by 2 wickets
T20 – l by 72 r
T20 – l by 7 w
Netherlands in Canada- August
ICC – won by 8 w
WCL 50 overs – no result
WCL 50 overs – l by 9 w
WCQT20
v USA – l by 5 w
Ireland l by 2 r
HK – l by 53 r
Uganda w by 43 r
UAE – l b 36 r
Namibia – l by 7 w
Italy w by 5 w
Kenya – ?