Australia look to get it all right v Canada

The only time Australia played Canada in an ODI was 32 years ago at the 1979 World Cup. Under-strength as Australia were then, they still thrashed the North Americans with 34 overs to spare and have since gone on to win the world title four times. Ricky Ponting’s men are the only undefeated side left in the event and with their unbeaten World Cup streak stretching to 33 matches, another rout would appear to be on the cards.
he same fate seemed to await the other minnows in the group, Kenya, last Sunday but astonishingly, the Africans of all teams managed to find a hole or two in Australia’s armour and gave the champions plenty to think about. Rustiness certainly played a part – Australia were playing their first match in eight days and their batsmen had not got to bat for twice as long thanks to the washout against Sri Lanka – but Ponting would be none too happy with the display.

Ironically, on the same day, Canada put in a much-improved performance against New Zealand, batting out their full 50 overs en route to their highest World Cup total. If Canada manage to do a Kenya against Australia, it will certainly give stronger opponents, starting with Pakistan whom they play next, some cause for optimism and may begin to raise doubts in the minds of Australia’s usually ultra-confident team. To be sure, there was never a chance of an upset and Australia did well to reach 324 after a smaller total looked likely when they managed just 14 runs during a seven-over phase shortly after Shane Watson’s departure. However, Ponting could only make a scratchy 36 and Cameron White’s struggles continued, leaving Australia in some bother at 143 for 4. But Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey, back in the side at the expense of his brother David, put on 114 runs to ease the nerves. Clarke ticked over with minimal fuss after feeling his way in against the spinners on a surface that offered turn to maintain his World Cup average of over 100. But it was Hussey, who slipped back into his familiar role with minimum fuss, who gave Australia most hope. He didn’t drop below a run-a-ball during his stay and his quick 54 was a more valuable innings than any net session could have provided.

Ironically, it was in the field and with the ball that Australia were less than impressive. Ponting has spoken of the need for his struggling spinners Steve Smith and Jason Krejza to start picking up wickets, but in truth it was the fast bowlers who were more disappointing against Kenya. The Africans, whose batting had been woeful until Sunday, showed that the feared pace trio of Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson could be blunted. An early innings slump of 46 for 3 suggested that the match was headed for a quick finish, but Collins Obuya and Tanmay Mishra provided seriously stern resistance, with Obuya missing out on a well deserved hundred. Kenya went on to record their highest World Cup total and it was only the sixth time that the champions had conceded more than 250 after batting first in a Cup game.

Canada made a similar score to Kenya’s against another Australasian side the same day and will be looking to give a good account of themselves in possibly their last World Cup match for some time. For all their batting success against New Zealand, Canada’s bowlers still went for 358 and Australia’s batsmen will want to fill their boots before the tougher games arrive. As luck would have it, skipper Ashish Bagai and Jimmy Hansra, who were among the runs on Sunday, are both struggling to get fit for Wednesday’s game against Australia. It would be fitting if John Davison were to plunder quick runs against his home country in his last game for Canada, but on current form, that doesn’t appear probable. Bangalore has proved a batting paradise so far and that seems unlikely to change.