da aposte e ganhe： Ashish Bagai’s memory isn’t as clear as it should be perhaps, though givenwhat happened when Canada last met Sri Lanka at a World Cup, he is not tobe blamed
Osman Samiuddin in Hambantota19-Feb-2011Ashish Bagai’s memory isn’t as clear as it should be perhaps, though givenwhat happened when Canada last met Sri Lanka at a World Cup, he is not tobe blamed. That game, in Paarl, South Africa in 2003, was over in justover half a Twenty20 game: Canada’s 36 all out remains the lowest WorldCup total.A day ahead of – for want of a more appropriate word – their rematch atHambantota, he’s not too keen to remember the game. “I don’t have suchgood memories of that. The one before that is still in my mind, but Ithink I have forgotten the Sri Lanka game,” Canada’s captain said. The onebefore was a loss to Kenya, so it is the one before heremembers: the Austin Codrington-inspired 60-run win over Bangladesh.”There are only two guys from that World Cup here, myself and John Davisonand we don’t talk about that game too much.”Canada have made some strides since then. There are central contracts inplace. They also have a clutch of Under-19 players in the side, homegrownproducts and a “brand” of cricket they are keen to show off. It is bracingtalk. “We’ve got some very exciting youngsters coming through the Canadianprogram for the first time. It’s important to show our brand of cricketand home-grown cricketers, as opposed to the past where lots of guys fromIndia and Pakistan came in after playing in their domestic leagues and ‘A’teams. We want to show what Canada has produced for the first time.”Prime among them is Nitish Kumar, all of 16 and with much hype around him.No wonder his listed nickname is Tendulkar. From Bagai’s words, the hypemay not be unjustified. “He’s my favourite batsman to watch in the world.I’ve never seen a talent like that and a lot of coaches in world cricketsay that about him. He’s so young but very exciting.”An eye will be kept on others, like the left-arm spinner Parth Desai orRuvindu Gunasekera, the left-handed top-order batsman who’s done welldomestically in Sri Lanka, the land of his birth. Something, over thecourse of six matches, will surely come from Rizwan Cheema and thegodfather-grandfather John Davison.A little insider knowledge is also available. Canada’s head and assistantcoaches are Pubudu Dassanayake and Chandika Haturusingha, both former SriLankan internationals. The latter only joined recently, but together, saysBagai, the pair has been crucial. “Pubudu has been crucial for us,especially in grooming youngsters to play at this level. Hatu is anexcellent man when it comes to technical ability. Both of them togetherform a good group for us and both have very good knowledge of subcontinentconditions. Most of our players are from subcontinent roots so they canrelate to them really well.”Talent, inside information, spirit and all these things will take you onlyso far when you step out on to the field against co-hosts and favouritesin a World Cup. There is no reason to suspect Bagai – an impressive man -doesn’t know that. But freedom from fear and pressure are great,mood-changing stimulants. There is no pressure on Canada, none whatsoeverand Bagai knows that too.”In the warm-up game against England, there were nerves for the youngerguys because we’ve got five Under-19s players in the side,” he said. “We gotthat out of the way. Now, tomorrow is about no pressure, nobody expects usto win and we want to spin that positively and use it to our advantage.Play freely, see young guys play their natural game and someresponsibility from the older guys.”Simple really, when put like that.