Canada shows a class

Well it would be no prizes for guessing the result of yesterday's match between the Kiwis and Canada with New Zealand wrapping off the game in style by 97 runs. But, though the match was all over for Canada, they showed all guts when they didn't lose all their ten wickets and were able to cross the 250 run mark when they winded their innings at 261 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. This was the fourth team that New Zealand beat after Kenya, Zimbabwe and Pakistan had thrashings. But, the real test for New Zealand would be against Sri Lanka.

A total of 358 runs on the board piled up by the New Zealand batsmen would no doubt have put the Canadians running for cover but surprisingly, the Canadian batsmen showed no signs of fear because, not that they were confident of winning but was the other way round. They were sure to lose that match and that would have been just another loss for them with them already having lost to Pakistan, Australia and Zimbabwe. A loss against New Zealand would not bring up any eyebrows and neither would there be any fan expecting Canada to win the game against New Zealand.

In case they win any encounter against any team, that would be welcome but a loss will no way be cursed by anyone. Instead, they should have won the game against Pakistan when they had the opposition all out for a score less than 200. Still, that does not show the bowling caliber of Canada and instead shows that the pitch was a bowler's paradise. That was the reason for some part-time bowler Shahid Afridi to scalp 5 wickets for yet another time in this world cup. That apart, this was the last chance for the Kiwis to showcase their skills.

Next, they would be facing the Sri Lankans at Mumbai some 4 days later where their true caliber will be tested. They have lost the match to the Aussies and though they managed a win against Pakistan, it was one man show with Ross Taylor stitching it for New Zealand at the fag end of the New Zealand innings. Else, they would have been left with just four wins that was worth nothing. They were lucky not to have teamed with Bangladesh which would otherwise been a major upset (may be). Still, they enter the quarter-finals and one should wait and see what happens there.