Stabroek News Jones, Gous’ spectacular show hands USA opening win

Aaron Jones bludgeoned an unbeaten 94 runs from 40 deliveries as the USA aced the chase after an initial shaky start. Jones also shared a record 131-run third wicket partnership with Andries Gous

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

(ESPN Cricinfo) – USA announced their arrival in the T20 World Cup with a demolition of their rivals Canada in Dallas.

Aaron Jones, the vice-captain, and Andries Gous, the former South African player and current Texas resident, made a mockery of their chase of 195 with a 131-run third-wicket partnership at a whirlwind run rate of 14.29. The USA got the job done with seven wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Andries Gous was the perfect foil for Aaron Jones, as he recorded 65 runs from 46 deliveries.

Jones went on a six-hitting spree – he cleared the boundary ten times – and celebrated most of those with animated fist-pumps, which had the crowd chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”

Nicholas Kirton of Canada scores through the off-side en route to his 51

Though Gous holed out for 65 off 46, Jones fittingly finished the chase with a pair of sixes, off the bowling of off-spinner Nikhil Dutta, and handed the USA their fifth successive win over Canada, having beaten them 4-0 in the lead-up to their first-ever World Cup appearance.