Canada qualify for the World Cup

Canada beat Scotland by five wickets and with more than 10 overs to spare in the ICC Trophy qualifying final here yesterday to book their place at the 2003 World Cup.

They restricted top seeded Scotland to 176 for nine with opening bowler Sanjayan Thuraisingam claiming man of the match honours for his superb bowling performance. He claimed 5/25 from his 10 overs.

Despite a couple of wobbles on the way, Canada eventually ran out easy winners, acheiving the target in 39.5 overs, Nicholas Degroot 19 not out and Muneeb Diwan one not out.

Canada captain and former Barbados bastman Joseph Harris steered his team to the brink of victory with 35 from 40 balls before he was bowled by David Cox with Canada two runs short.

The Canadian innings began badly when opener and Victoria cricketer John Davison was caught behind by Colin Smith off John Blain for nought, Canada one for one in the opening over.

But a stand of 56 between Ishwar Maraj and Desmond Chumney restored Canadian hopes. Roared on by vocal and mainly expatriate West Indian support, Maraj batted well for fifty from 76 balls including two fours.

But he gave his wicket away and was caught at backward point by Scotland captain George Salmond off Blain, Canada 122 for four in the 30th.

However, any faint hopes of a recovery by the Scots, who appeared in the 1999 World Cup, were quickly snuffed out and Canada enjoyed a famous victory.

Mail Cricket Editor