ICC media release
The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 (CWCQ) will see Jimmy Hansra captaining Canada, Kyle Coetzer leading Scotland and Khurram Khan at the helm for the UAE, as they all set their sights on the two remaining places at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 (CWC) available through the CWCQ.
Hansra, who recently succeeded Ashish Bagai as Canada captain after the latter announced his retirement, said about the team’s groundwork: “The preparations are coming along well. We held a camp indoors in Toronto, where under our new coach Andy Pick we conducted specific training scenarios for New Zealand conditions.”
All-rounder Hansra scored 215 runs from six matches at an average of 43 for Canada in the ICC CWC 2011, posting half-centuries against Kenya and New Zealand along the way and also picking up two wickets against Pakistan with his right-arm off-spin deliveries.
Evaluating the two groups and the teams in the fray, Hansra said: “No team is to be taken lightly.
“The recent upsets in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 suggest the skills of even the so-called minnows have improved dramatically, and that all teams are now thoroughly competitive.
“Group A and Group B are evenly poised, so we just have to focus on one game at a time and prepare the same way, regardless of whether we’re playing a Scotland or a Nepal.
“The tournament’s excellent format provides enough opportunities for teams to qualify on merit. So we’re all really looking forward to our games in New Zealand.”
Anticipating good crowds in New Zealand, Hansra, who scored 119 runs and took one wicket from nine matches in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Championship 2011-13 (WCLC), said: “We should all see some great cricket being played there.
“I would urge the people there to come out for the love of the sport and support the growth of the game in other countries. For most members of the Canada team, this will be our first visit to that country, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of our best cricket to the crowds there.”