Canada v Zimbabwe Live update: Facts and Stats – ICC World Cup 2011
The two lightweights, Zimbabwe, and, Canada, are contesting in an exciting game at Nagpur. This is one of the few opportunities for both sides to gain victory in the ICC 2011 World Cup.
Zimbabwe is a more experienced side having a lot of practice playing international cricket, whereas Canada has a crew of amateurs.
The only recognized name in the Canadian side is 40-year old, John Davison, who scored a belligerent 111 against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in 2003 and the second-fastest century in a World Cup.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 lost to Sri Lanka whereas Zimbabwe was belittled by Australia’s pace bowlers.
One of the interesting facts is that only 3 out of Canada's 15 players in this World Cup were born in Canada, John Davison, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nitish-Kumar-c79751, and, Zubin Surkari.
Both teams have not played much cricket between each other as they met just once in a 50-over game in Port of Spain in 2006 where Canada was thrashed by 143 runs. Both sides have never competed against each other in a World Cup game.
Although, Zimbabwe is a veteran side, Canada made their World Cup debut before http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 did. Canada played in the 1979 World Cup, while Zimbabwe made their World Cup debut in 1983 and stunned Australia in their first game. Canada folded for 139 in their
first match ever World Cup match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
The heat and humidity in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vidarbha-c860 Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur is making the conditions tough for both teams. Bowlers from both sides will have to be patient and stick to a consistent line and length and hope for the batsmen to make a mistake.
The performance of the top order remains a worry for both teams and Zimbabwe has also lost their opener early in this game as well. This pitch is favourable for batsmen and it is a perfect track for them to get back into form. The Canadian seamer, Henry
Osinde, left the field due to an injury after bowling just 2.1 overs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
It was a huge blow for them as they don’t have any other pace options in the reserves. Spin is Zimbabwe’s biggest strength with the trio of Ray http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, spinners bowled 39 of the 50 overs
but the batting let them down.
Zimbabwe’s team might not have the strength that it had in 1999 and 2003 editions but has some serious talent.
On the other hand, Canada also possesses a mixture of youth and experience. Canada’s squad has Nitish Kumar, the youngest player in the World Cup and John Davison, who is the oldest man in the mega event.
Zimbabwean, Charles Coventry, scored 194 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in 2009 and he has hit only one half-century since.
Both Zimbabwe and Canada have aspirations of upsetting the better teams and sneaking into the knock-out stages by bagging the fourth spot. So, this is a must win game for both sides to stay alive in the World Cup.
Moreover, their performance will definitely affect their fate in the World Cup 2015 as International Cricket Council has decided that only 10 teams would participate in the next ICC showpiece.
The teams are not expected to show a miracle performance, however, one could hope for a fighting and competitive contest between these two minnows. Neither team has an excuse to capitulate the way they did in their previous game.
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