NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Steady bowling – led by Parth Desai – earned Canada a shock, 23-run victory over Hampshire in the Caribbean Twenty20 Championship yesterday.
The 20-year-old India-born Desai collected two wickets for a measly 15 runs from his allotted four overs, and Rizwan Cheema snared two for 27 from four overs, as Hampshire were restricted to 106 for eight from their 20 overs, chasing 130 for victory, in the second match of the competition at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Benny Howell scored 22 not out and Johannes Myburgh made 22, but no other Hampshire batsman made 20, as the English county champions failed to come to grips with Canada’s modest attack.
Cheema had led the way with 31, and Ruvindu Gunasekera supported with 29, as Canada, choosing to bat, reached 129 for seven from their 20 overs.
Discarded England fast bowler Simon Jones was the most successful England bowler with two for 20 from four overs.
Canada are using the CT20 as part of their preparation for the 2011 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
They put down three chances, but a depleted Hampshire failed to make the Canadians pay for their indiscretions in the field, and were humbled.
There were no significant partnerships about which to write to Southampton, and Hampshire ran into trouble at 70 for six, with five overs remaining.
Earlier, Gunasekera helped to give Canada a solid start, but they too ran into problems in the middle overs before Cheema arrived to breathe a little life into the late overs.
Canada face Trinidad & Tobago in their second match on Saturday at the same venue, where Hampshire meet Barbados tomorrow.
