By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto-Canada
Different qualification tournament, different country and different format, but similar sentiments by fast-bowler Jeremy Gordon after his adopted country Canada once again failed to qualify for another International Cricket Council (ICC) event.
Jeremy Gordon is disappointed that Canada didn't qualify for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Only today (Saturday) the ICC 50-over Qualifiers concluded with Scotland humbling United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs in New Zealand while the North Americas grabbed a solitary win in their four allotted matches.
Canada also suffered a huge defeat in the Seventh-place playoff to the Netherlands succumbing to an eight-wicket margin.
“I think I didn’t play to my true potential and that was one disappointment while our team just didn’t live up the expectations, but it was another good trip in New Zealand,” the 27-year-old right-arm quickie divulged.
Two months ago, Canada was also eliminated at an early stage in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers tournament, which was held in UAE. Guyanese Gordon was also disappointed despite his satisfactory performances coming out with 11 wickets from seven matches.
“You missed out on the T20 stage and hoping to make things better in 50-over version but felt short was a great disappointment; I don’t think it was the ‘right’ team even though we showed a lot of fight,” Gordon declared on his arrival home in Toronto recently.
Canada, who featured in the last three consecutive previous world cup events, (2003, 2007, 2011), lost three of their four mandatory games to stake a claim of the two available places which were up for grabs.
They were placed in Group A and were beaten chronologically by UAE, Hong Kong, and Scotland while triumphing over Nepal. Gordon, who finished with seven wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the victorious match, stated the opposing teams played excellent cricket.
“Obviously, it was a big tournament and a very important one for Canada, but losing three of the four matches was very hurtful; we arrived early in New Zealand and had two warm-up games and we were confident of qualifying, but the oppositions just out played us with wonderful cricket,” Gordon, who represented Guyana at both the under-19 and senior level, related.
After a successful year (2013) for Gordon at the Intercontinental Cup for Canada, Gordon was excited to make a comeback for his native country. He was part of the action at the club level but it was not enough for the Guyanese selectors to invite him at the national trial late last year. However, he is still desirable of wearing the Guyana’s colors again and should head down there soon to play club cricket and by extension inter-county competitions to enhance his chance again.
He also mentioned that since the inclement weather in Canada only provided the opportunity to play for short period, Gordon already seeking contracts to play in either England or Australia soon.
“I [am] still very optimistic that I will play for Guyana again; I know I have to play on a regular basis down there to be selected but I want to play professionally in other countries to keep improving my game as well,” Gordon, who plays for Brampton Masters Cricket Club here, revealed.
Gordon, who made his debut for Canada in 2011, believes that hard work and commitment are of paramount importance to be a great cricketer and his accomplishment so far has been very inspiring. Something that he has attributed most of his success as an athlete.