Kenya, Canada meet in battle of minnows

AP

New Delhi, 07 March 2011: Kenya and Canada have only distant memories of World Cup highs as the strugglers prepare to meet in Group A on Monday, with both desperate to take at least one positive from the 2011 event.

 

Kenya were one game away from the World Cup final in 2003. It opened this tournament with three heavy losses and could be heading for a winless campaign, let alone a place in the semifinals.

 

In the same event eight years ago, Canada captured its first World Cup win and John Davison hit what was then the event’s fastest century. Here, Davison has made two ducks and even Zimbabwe was far too strong for Canada.

 

 

There will be a more level playing field at New Delhi’s Feroze Shah Kotla stadium, where both ICC Associate teams are desperate to perform. One country’s confidence is likely to be partially restored, the other will be devastated.

 

"We were right on top there in 2003," Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande said. "So many things have gone wrong." A despondent Davison said: "At the moment, everyone’s heads are down and the performances haven’t been great."

 

The teams have mainly struggled with the bat — 142 being the highest total by either side — and have been unable to get it right under pressure from stronger, more experienced outfits. They are anxious to do it now, faced with a closer rival.

 

"Against Canada, it’s a must-win game for us, whether we like it or not," Kamande said. "When we are coming up against our Associate brothers Canada, I don’t need to tell anybody we need to perform.

 

"After all these tough matches against the Test sides, you have to go there and show what you have learnt... and go hard at them."

 

Having admitted he was out of form, the 40-year-old Davison then pulled a muscle in his right leg, missed the Pakistan game and may not play a role against Kenya.

 

But he’s adamant Canada has the ability to post better totals than 122, 123 and 138 — its three scores at the World Cup so far. If Canada can get its batting numbers up, Davison said, "then we can leave with our heads held high."

 

"A couple of the younger guys are probably lacking a little bit of self-belief," he said. "If you come and watch them back in the nets, you’ll see they’ve got the talent. "I think if they can clear their heads... that’ll give them the best chance of being successful."

 

Kenya is hoping to be able to recall veteran all-rounder Thomas Odoyo after a knee problem and Kamande is trusting leading batsman Steve Tikolo will find some late form as he prepares to wrap up his 15-year international career after the tournament.

 

Canada, meanwhile, could give a chance to teenager Hiral Patel after captain Ashish Bagai promised to change things following a deflating defeat to Pakistan.

 

Kenya and Canada have met at the last two World Cups, with Kenya winning both the matches. But Canada have won four of 12 meetings between the countries in all ODIs.

 

"At no point do we think we can’t win games," Bagai said. "Unfortunately, our batting has let us down tremendously. It’s very disappointing with the hard work that has been going on but that’s sport and that’s cricket and you’ve got to pick yourself up."