TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Two former Guyana first class players have been named in a 13-man Canada squad to face United States in the annual Auty Cup starting next week in Florida.
Former skipper and batsman Damodar Daesrath and fast bowler Jeremy Gordon are set to turn out in the tournament which features a one-day match, a two-day fixture along with two Twenty20s.
The tournament bowls off next Wednesday at at the Central Broward County International Stadium, which recently hosted a T20 International doubleheader between West Indies and New Zealand.
Daesrath, an elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, represented Guyana in 16 first-class matches before migrating to North America eight years ago.
He has been a prolific scorer for local team Brampton Masters Cricket Club and has featured with the ball as well, especially in the limited-overs format.
“I [am] delighted to be in the set up again. It is always going to be a great honour to represent Canada at the highest level and I certainly looking forward to it,” said Daesrath, who made his international debut earlier this year against home-team Scotland. “Playing with some senior players in the side also gives me the motivation to do something special on this tour and I am really anxious to go out there and make it count.”
Gordon, meanwhile, played for West Indies Under-19 team in 2006 before also representing Guyana at the senior level in three first-class matches.
He also plays for Brampton, a club that has dominated Toronto’s Elite 50-over cricket over the years.
“Again I am happy to be named in the national side and I am confident we will do well in USA next month,” the 25-year-old Gordon said.
“The team is strong and I think I can make a solid contribution.” Gordon played in the Caribbean Twenty20 last year.