By Ravi Madholall
Canada Select X1 produced an epic batting performance to humiliate Bermuda by a handsome 201-run margin under the Duckworth/Lewis Method on Wednesday at Maple Leaf ground, King City in their friendly 50-over tour match.
Srimantha Wijeyeratne struck his second against Bermuda. Photo by WICB Media/Ashley Allen
Opener Navneet Dhaliwal and skipper Srimantha Wijeynerathne struck belligerent centuries to propel Canada to a gigantic 405-6 from the allocation of 50-overs.
Bermuda, in reply, were precariously placed at 156-8 in 32.3 overs when rain ultimately halted proceedings.
The tourists primarily in Canada to enhance their preparations ahead of the forthcoming International Cricket Council World Cricket League Division 4 limited-over tournament slated to be held in California.
The hosts won the toss and without hesitation opted to take first strike on a pitch with appreciative bounce as Dhaliwal, the opener hit an 83-ball 125 (8×4, 8×6) while the other right-hander Wijeynerathne, who is in prolific form, smacked 13 fours and two sixes in his attractive 107.
Wijeynerathne scored a century (122*) representing the Canadian High Performance side at the same venue recently against Bermuda in one of their four matches.
Again the 27-year-old Sri Lankan-born wicketkeeper/batsman batted with profound confidence at the crease executing his impeccable timing well and featured in a cameo 198-run third-wicket stand with the flamboyant Dhaliwal.
Shakya Bhavindu was also in good nick making a steady 39 while Saad Bin Zafar and Dillon Heyliger capitalized on the runs-fest with 37* and 27 respectively.
It was a total lack of penetration from all the bowlers as the Canadian batsmen played fluently to accumulate runs on a lightning fast outfield under a sky mixed with patchy grey clouds.
When Bermuda batted, they never displayed a threat to the totality as they slipped to 15-2 in 6 overs to spark their regular decline.
Canada Select X1 bowlers powered nicely in the bowling department as well, maintaining impressive line and length.
For the losers, Delray Rawlins batted purposefully and with a great sense of determination to help give the score some amount of respectability by scoring 47 while Terryn Fray made 32 and 26 not out from Jordan DeSilva.
Experienced leg-spinner Junaid Siddiqui claimed two wickets for 19 runs from five overs. Medium-pacer Heyliger returned with the ball to take two for 21 from 5.3 overs and Preet Singh (off-break) also collected two wickets but was expensive conceding 42 runs from five consecutive overs.
Bermuda will continue their preparations with some more practice games but on home soil against unknown opponents as yet.
During their stint here, Bermuda were beaten on two occasions against the HP side while they went down to Toronto and District Cricket Association 2015 Elite limited-over finalist Mississauga Ramblers before succumbed in inauspicious fashion again Wednesday.
Canada is expected to participate in the historical, 50-overs Auty Cup with USA next month which is still tentative as part of this year’s campaign.