TORONTO, Canada – It was billed as the Chris Gayle versus Yuvraj Singh showdown, as they skippered their respective sides, but both “superstars” failed to sparkle on the opening day of the second edition of the Global T20 Canada which bowled off at the picturesque CAA Centre, Brampton Ontario yesterday.
Watched by a fair-sized crowd, Singh, huffed and puffed his way to a disappointing 14 off 27 balls as newcomers Toronto Nationals reached a respectable 159 for five in their allotted 20 overs after being asked to take first strike.
Gayle, the self-styled ‘Universe Boss’ just off a somewhat unhappy World Cup performance, failed to upstage his opposing number, being dismissed for 12, having his off-stump knocked back by Guyana-born fast medium bowler Mark Monfort, as he attempted a big heave.
It took the heroics of Russie van der Dussen (65 not out) and Chadwick Walton, unbeaten of 59 to ensure defending champions Vancouver Knights start their campaign on a winning note, the two sharing a third-wicket partnership of 126 in 12.5 overs as their team reached 162 for two in 17.2 overs.
Walton and van der Dussen came together with Vancouver Knights in a spot of bother at 30 for two in the fourth over following the dismissal of Gayle. Walton, who smote four sixes and a similar number of fours, was adjudged the man-of-the-match. van der Dussen’s knock contained four fours and three sixes.
Montfort took one for 33 from his four overs while former Guyana Under-19 fast bowler Jeremy Gordon got rid of Tobias Visee, while conceding 39 runs.
Earlier, Toronto Nationals suffered an early blow with opener Brendon McCullum (4), caught by van der Dussen off Andile Phehlukayo while Calum MacLeod (17) and Yuvraj failed to get going.
Canadian opener Rodrigo Thomas played enterprisingly for 41 off 31 balls, smashing three fours and three sixes while Henrick Klassen shored up the middle-order with a swashbuckling 20-ball 41 which was decorated with two fours and four sixes.
Recently recalled West Indies middle-order batsman Kieron Pollard chipped in with a quick-fire 30 (two fours and three sixes) off 13 balls towards the end but the 159 on a fast outfield proved difficult to defend once Walton and van der Dussen got into their strides.
Today’s day/night game features Montreal Tigers and Winnipeg Hawks and starts at 16:30hrs. (Frederick Halley)
