Antigua & Barbuda v Canada, 2nd practice match, St Johns

Canada ease to victory

Cricinfo staff

February 24, 2007

Canada, spurred by an efficient bowling and batting display, comfortably defeated Antigua & Barbuda by five wickets in their one-day practice match at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Saturday. Warming up for the tri-series that also involves Bermuda and Bangladesh, the Canadians restricted the Antiguans to 231 for 8 off their 50 overs and then replied strongly with 232 for 5 off 42.4 overs.

Canada's bowlers bowled with discipline as they maintained control over the Antiguan batsmen for most of the innings. Kerry Mentore, the wicketkeeper-batsman, top-scored with 55 off 96 balls but like the other batsmen he was unable to get on top of the bowling.

Mentore and Austin Richards Jr, who hit a 37-ball 32, put on 42 for the first wicket and but the scoring rate was not spectacular. A late flurry from Leewards all-rounder Justin Athanaze, who hit 30 from 21 balls with four fours and a six, gave the score some respectability after Antigua had been 158 for 5.

In reply, Abdool Samad made 64, Ashif Mulla 56 not out and Ashish Bagai 45, as Canada paced their chase well. Samad, who had also bowled well to take 1 for 45 in nine overs, set the tempo for the reply with a 70-ball innings. Edwin Richardson gave Bermuda hope with a fiery spell, but was forced to withdraw from the attack after he delivered the second of two beamers in his spell of 5.2 overs.

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Series/Tournaments

Associates Tri-Series (in West Indies)

Teams

Antigua and Barbuda