By Ravi Madholall in Toronto
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) of England completed their tour of North America in clinical fashion after whipping a Canada Select XI by a handsome 173-run margin on Sunday at the Maple Leaf ground in Toronto.
It was total domination from MCC since arriving in Canada last week from the United States of America having won three T20 matches there too.
They began the Canada’s leg with two convincing T20 victories over a CanAm side on Wednesday at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling ground while they won the first 50-over match against a Canada Select XI the following day at the same venue.
After a break on Friday to facilitate an outing around Toronto for the tourists, the two teams reached up back at Niagara Cricket Centre facility, Saturday.
Persistent rain falls prevented an early start, and reduced the game to a 20-over affair. However, MCC racked up a sufficient 129-3 at the expiration of 20-overs while the hosts, in reply, were left hanging at 94-4 off the 20-overs.
Experienced batter Charlotte Edwards, who had been an impressive and successful player for England, struck an impressive 55 as her team won by 35 runs.
Charlotte Edwards was prolific with the bat during the tour. Top photo, Judy Wilmot (right) the player/manager of the first MCC Women’s tour to North America is seen talking at the closing ceremony. Photo courtesy of Edward Norfolk
At King City on Sunday, Edwards continued with her prolific form fashioning a magnificent 102 to lead MCC to a formidable 249-9 from the allotment of 40-overs while Canada Select XI, in response, were dashed out for 74 in the 28th over.
At the presentation just after the game, Player/Manager of MCC Judy Wilmot was very thankful to Cricket Canada for hosting them and simultaneously expressed her gratitude on their hospitality for the duration the tour.
The 62-year-old Wilmot further said that the Canada Select XI only showed partial fight but there was always room for improvement in all aspects of their game.
In contrast, Wilmot spoke greatly about her team and stated that the performances were delighted and proud of the rich history the club continues to exhibit whether in Europe or elsewhere.
According to Wilmot, she was anticipating great showing from her fellow players owing to the presence of former England skipper Edwards and Claire Taylor, both of whom have been veteran athletes for the English Women’s team on international assignments.
Edwards still has the distinction of leading her country to World Cup titles while Taylor was named the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 2009 to be among their cricketing accomplishments.
Both played over 300 one-day internationals between them but the 36-year-old Edwards announced her retirement earlier this year.
Prior to the Canada’s leg, the MCC Women’s team emerged victorious against an USA Red, an USA Blue and an USA Women’s side. It was MCC’s women inaugural visit to North America. History shows, a men’s team came in 1905 followed up in 2012.