By RON FANFAIR
Canadian cricket could face debilitating consequences if the national side fails to qualify for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, warns International Cricket Council (ICC) Americas Region Manager Martin Vieira.
Canada, Bermuda and the USA are the Americas representatives in the 12-team ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland in July. The top five teams will advance to the World Cup.
Vieira said the cash-strapped Canadian program stands to lose the most by not securing a place in the finals.
"Finishing highly in the tournament is an indication that things are going well in our region," said Vieira. "It could also mean a boost in financial assistance for individual countries."
Vieira said the top qualifiers for the World Cup will receive a cash boost of US$250,000 for the next two years leading up to the World Cup under the ICC High Performance program. At the moment, Canada is receiving the basic US$50,000 to help with its preparation for the ICC Trophy series for Associates.
Last Monday night, the national five-man senior selection committee comprising chair Austin Ward, Errol Townshend, Bhan Deonarine, Chris James and Vivek Daruba selected the Canadian 14-member squad that will compete in the qualifying tournament.
The squad, which has to be submitted to the ICC by May 30, is expected to be released early next week. The contingent was named after three 60-over trial matches played on a perfect turf surface at King City last weekend.
It was a pity that the players did not use the opportunity to impress the selectors. There was just one score in excess of 200 in the six innings, and just one batsman - Haninder Dhillon of British Columbia - recorded a half century in the series. In the final game, the two teams batted for 57.5 overs in the disappointing encounter that ended in mid-afternoon.
"The wicket played well, so I am disappointed that the batsmen did not stay at the crease and get some more runs," national skipper John Davison said.
British Columbia left-arm spinner Kevin Sandher was the leading wicket-taker with nine followed by left-arm medium pacer Umar Bhatti who picked up six. Both players participated in all three games.
In spite of the availability of key players Austin Codrington and Ashish Bagai, Davison is confident the team will do well in Ireland. Bagai will miss the series because of a two-month internship he's about to take up in the United States while Codrington is sidelined with a back injury.
"I believe that Austin would have done well with the ball in Ireland," said Davison. "With the setbacks however, I think we will do well once we get the right team."
Based on the sub-standard performances, it's expected that the selectors will rely on the cadre of players that have been part of the national side for the past few years.
Opener Ishwar Maraj, who played in the Surrey league over the past two seasons, is expected to be recalled to the national side after a two-year absence while medium-pacer Ashish Patel, who is hobbled by a knee injury, is likely to be included in the touring party.
Former Sri Lanka international player Pubudu Dassanayake will make his Canadian debut in the ICC Trophy tournament for Associates and possibly share the wicketkeeping duties with Asif Mulla.
Codrington's absence could pave the way for Uganda-born medium-pacer Osinde Henry, who impressed Davison last weekend, to forge his way onto the squad.
The likely national 14-member squad is John Davison (capt), Ishwar Maraj, Desmond Chumney, Haninder Dhillon, Zubin Surkari, Asif Mulla, Ian Billcliff, Sunil Dhaniram, Don Maxwell, Ashish Patel, Sanjayan Thuraisingam, Umar Bhatti, Osinde Henry and Kevin Sandher.
Bermuda, meanwhile, has selected its 14-member squad for the series.
The squad comprises Clay Smith (capt), Janeiro Tucker (vice-captain), Albert Steede, O.J. Pitcher, Irvine Romaine, Charlie Marshall, Dean Minors, Dwayne Leverock, Deloyne Borden, Dennis Archer, Lionel Cann, Saleem Mukuddem, Ryan Steede and Kevin Hurdle.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has given the warring United States factions up until May 30 to reach an agreement on a side to send to the tournament.