Canada showed that they will be no push-over in the 2003 World Cup with a stunning 49 run win over the visiting West Indies A side in Ajax yesterday. A less then full-strength Canada defeated a side containing six players with experience in Tests or one-day internationals. The West Indies squad have just completed a successful tour of England where they recorded wins against several of the counties.

Canada won the toss and chose to bat on a dry Ajax wicket. The Canadians struggled against the opening bowlers, particularly the pace of Powell who finished with 4/26 from his 10 overs. With De Groot, Harris, Chumney and Samad all dismissed without reaching double figures, and only Abdul Satteur (27) showing much resistance, Canada looked unlikely to post a competitive total. Ian Billcliff came to the rescue however, and put together a match-winning chanceless 73, with useful support from Bagai and Codrington.

Canada's final total of 172 looked barely adequate, especially as they were missing three of their top-bowlers from last year's ICC trophy (Barry Seeberan due to family commitments,; and Davis Joseph and Sanjay Thuraisingam due to work conflicts). Opening bowlers Codrington, and Quebec's Aasish Patel rose to the challenge, and bowling an excellent line and length restricted the West Indies bats from the start. Codrington picked up the wickets of Ganga, caught at cover, and Morton, and Patel trapped Bravo leg-before to leave West Indies at a precarious 29/3. Simmons could not get the ball away, and when he was caught at slip from spinner Kevin Sandher for 24, West Indies had lost their fourth wicket at 51, and twenty overs had gone. Breese and Hibbert offered some resistance but Jon Davison took full advantage of some loose shots as they tried to up the run-rate, ending up with 4 wickets for just 36 runs, as the tourists slumped to 123 all out.

It was a fine all-round bowling performance by the Canadians, and West Indies coach Gus Logie was not pleased - "Our players did not display any commitment, application or effort on a beautiful wicket" he said after the game.

The West Indies squad has been further depleted by an injury to Devon Smith, who will not be able to play in the remaining games of the tour (Black, Gayle and Pagon did not travel to Canada). This leaves the tourists with only twelve players. They take on the Canadians again on Sunday at Ross Lord Park, Monday at King City, and will play a two day match at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club starting August 7th.

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