Canada v Caymans, InterContinental Cup, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club
31 August: Maxwell's maiden hundred leads Canada
Day 1: Canada 340/9d, Caymans 5/1
Don Maxwell's first first-class century and a solid 83 from Nick Ifill led Canada to a strong position on the opening day of their match with the Cayman Islands. Canada declared on 340-9 when Maxwell was caught in the deep for 114. In the remaining three overs, Umar Bhatti dismissed Hall in the 2nd over of the three which were bowled in failing light.
An overnight downpour meant play was delayed until noon, to allow the outfield to dry. One extra hour was added to the end of play. As against Bermuda, Canada made a mediocre start, both openers were back in the pavillion with only 28 on the board, and 83 for4 was below many people's expectations. Maxwell and Sunil Dhamiram took the total to 110 when Maxwell (then on 58) retired hurt. This brought in Ifill and the score moved steadily to 179. Dhaniram was then adjudged lbw for 37, followed three balls later by Codrington, also lbw. A good stand between Ifill and Umar Bhatti ended with an unfortunate run-out (242-7).
Maxwell returned at this point and powered a couple of 6s on his way to his century. Ifill was another lbw victim (4 in all in the innings) with the score on 281. Kevin Sandher (14*) proved a useful ally to Maxwell in a 9th wicket stand of 59.
The inning was declared at 340 for 9, from 82 overs. O. Henry did not bat.
This is only the Cayman Islands' second first class match. They have yet to dismiss a team and in Canada's inning they can look back on missed catches. Two major opportunities went begging; when when Maxwell was on 57 (missed return catch to the bowler); and on 92 he was dropped at deep mid-wicket. Maxwell's previous best first class score was 88 against the United Arab Emeriates in the 2004 Intercontinental Cup. This was Ifill's second match at this level of cricket and his score was a significant career best. (Eddie Norfolk for canadacricket.com).
The umpires for this match are Roger Dill (Bermuda) and Trevor Henry (Ireland). The 3rd umpire is Ashook Brijcoomar (Canada). The Cayman bowler M.Chin will probably have his name in cricket book records. His first ball in his first over in his first International first class match produced a wicket.
1 Sep: Day 2: Canada still on top
The Cayman Islands need a further 295 runs with 9 second innings wickets standing if they are to beat Canada in their ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Toronto Cricket Club. Canada bowled out the visitors for 159 then knocked up a further 151-6 declared to leave the Cayman side to make 333 to win. The visitors made 38 for 1 wicket by close of the second days play.
Right-arm pace bowler Osinde Henry took 7 Cayman wickets for 53 in the first innings. Cayman captain Ryan Bovell top-scored with 44. The Canadian second innings was spearheaded by Quaisir Ali (67 not out) and Ashish Bagai (42).
Early in the day Umar Bhatti and then Henry made a number of breakthroughs at the top of the order. Bhatti was unfortunate to see two catches spilled in the gulley. At times, Henry generated extra pace and bounce that resulted in some mistimed or hurried strokes. Cayman had already lost a wicket on Wednesday night and were soon 28-4. The fourth wicket came off a skied hook that ended in mid-on's hands. The batsman, Pearson Best (15) tossed away his bat in frustration. A couple of balls earlier, Henry had been the unlucky one as Best mis-hooked safely over the keeper for four.
Soon after, Henry held onto a skied shot off his own bowling and things looked bad for the Cayman side (41-5). Bovell then helped steer his side's score to respectability, aided by a few good shots from the tail. Henry cleaned-up with the last four wickets, three players falling to catches by wicketkeeper Pabudu Dassanayake.
Canada secured a first-innings lead of 181 and could have asked Cayman to bat again. Instead the home team opted to pad their lead. They would probably prefer to remember the contributions of Quaisir Ali and Bagai rather than the two opening bats being back in the pavilion with only 22 on the board. Two other front-line batsmen made only 1 run each. Ali has been promoted to bat #3 in this game after top scoring lower down the order in the second innings against Bermuda.
Caymans openers Gordon and Hall batted quite well against a refreshed attack at the end of the day but Ali struck late to bowl Gordon for 14. Hall remained not out on 19. (Eddie Norfolk for canadacricket.com)
3 September: CANADA SPIN TO 120 RUN VICTORY
Canada 340-9 dec and 151-6 dec
Cayman Islands 159 and 212
Slow left arm bowlers Sunil Dhaniram (5-20) and Kevin Sandher (3-51) spun Canada to a 120 run win over the Cayman Islands in the match at Toronto Cricket Club. Pearson Best top scored in the Caymanians second innings with 53 before becoming one of Dhaniram's victims. Canada's Henry Osinde was named man of the match for his 7-63 in the Cayman first innings.
The Islanders resumed at 38-1 and carried the total to 60. Sandher was brought into the attack and soon had both overnight batsmen back in the pavilion. Marc Chin was caught at point for 14 (60-2) and a couple of overs later Ainsley Hall fell to a catch by Nick Ifill in the covers (65-3). Sandher nearly struck twice in the 26th over. First Ronald Ebanks cut the ball hard through gulley's outstretched hand and next ball Best firmly drove the ball against short-leg's protective helmet - not a catching chance.
The batsmen then played quite well to take the total past 100. A stumping chance, off George Codrington, went begging at 104 but not at much cost. Ronald Ebanks was bowled by Sandher for 26 (113-4). Dhaniram trapped Best for 53 just before lunch, which was taken with the visitors on 163-5; thus needing a further 178 to win. Bagai took over as wicketkeeper after lunch.
The first three balls after lunch produced 11 runs but, next over, Dhaniram removed Bovell (18) and Hoilett (0). Hinds struck a 6 over mid-wicket prompting the return of Umar Bhatti to the attack, who responded with a wicket. There remained a few defiant blows to take the total past 200. Hinds went for another big hit but skied the ball about half-way down the pitch where bowler Dhaniram was delighted to hold the catch - having made cries of 'I've got it, I've got it'. Hinds made 35 (including 2x6s). Dhaniram was even more pleased when Bagai stumped the last man to complete a 5 wicket haul for just 20 runs.
Cayman, filled with right-handed batsmen, lost 8 wickets to slow left arm bowling in this innings. In their previous match with Bermuda they lost 15 of 20 wickets to slow left armers.
In the closing ceremonies, Martin Viera (ICC Americas Regional Manager) gave a vote of thanks to the Cayman side for their short notice acceptance to play in this year's Intercontinental Cup. He hoped they had learned from the experience and enjoyed their participation.
Cayman replaced the USA. Interesting cricket news from the States in the last couple of weeks has been New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's announcement to build a $1.5 million US cricket facility in that city and a judge has set out the plan for hearings in the disputes over which body runs cricket in that country. The latter dispute was the reason the ICC withdrew the invitation to this year's Intercontinental Cup. Bermuda won the Americas section and will meet Kenya in one semi-final in Namibia in late October. Ireland face the United Arab Emirates in the other semi-final. (Eddie Norfolk for canadacricket.com).