Canada 211 (49.3 ov; Nitish Kumar 107, Ruvindu Gunaskera 49, Mudassar Bukhari 4/44)
Netherlands 173 (42.4 ov: Stephan Myburg 40, Mudassar Bukhari 39, Jimmy Hansra 3/17)
Result: Canada won by 39 wuns (warm-up game)
There will be some elements of happiness following as Canada’s 39-run win against the Netherlands in Friday’s warm-up game at Mount Maunaganui. An opening partnership of 98 between Ruvindu Gunaskera (49) and Nitish Kumar (107) proved the base for the Canadian innings, although only two other batters reached double figures. Canada was all out for 211 after 49.3 overs. Zeeshan Siddiqui made 13, batting at number five, and Junaid Siddiqui clipped 21 not out. Opening bowler Mudassar Bukhari took four for 44 from ten overs. Ahsan Jamil bowled economically to take one for 24 from 9.3 overs.
Dutch opener Stephan Myburg scored 40 but was caught at the wicket off Harvir Baidwan soon after a second wicket stand of 30 with Wesley Baresi was ended by Baidwan. Myburg made 40 out of from of 58 runs before being the third wicket to fall after 13.2 overs. Jimmy Hansra had Ben Cooper caught for 16 and Daan van Bunge was run out next ball to leave the Dutch on 85 for five. Hansra then turned the screws on the Dutch with two more wickets; 104 for 7 (26.2 overs). Mudassar Bukhari (39*) and Tim Gruijters (27) led a recovery but the Dutch innings ended on 173 all out after 42.4 overs.
Opening bowler Jeremy Gordon took two for 28 from ten overs while spinner Jimmy Hansra and seamer Harvir Baidwan each took wickets and bowled quite economically in the context of the game. Skipper Hansra captured three for 17 from five overs, and Baidwan took two for 27 from seven overs. Junaid Siddiqui bowled his seven overs for 24 runs so four of Canada’s bowlers conceded less than four runs per over. A team bowling performance of promise, especially if the control improves as familiarity with “New Zealand conditions” increases.
Obviously the coach will be looking for some runs from the middle order in the coming games, but for today, Ruvindu Gunasekera’s 49 from 66 balls helped fire an opening stand of 98 (21.1 overs) and Nitish Kumar provided the backbone for the innings with 107 from 126 balls. Kumar had compiled some useful innings for Repton School in England before returning to Canada in the summer of 2013. The coach will also hope the opening bats keep producing runs. (EN)
Scorecard