While the West Indies were well pleased with their seven wicket win over Canada in their Group B World Cricket match at Supersport Park on Sunday, all the talk was about the fastest hundred scored in World Cup cricket history.
Canadian opener John Davison’s hundred was scored off just 67 deliveries which eclipses the 72 ball century of India’s Kapil Dev in a 1983 World Cup match against Zimbawe in England.
Asked to bat by Windies captain, Carl Hooper, the Canadian opening pair of Ishwar Maraj and Davison started cautiously. When Davison struck the first boundary in the fourth over the shackles seemed to be broken. The pair raced to their 50 partnership from 43 deliveries with Davison being particularly severe on Mervyn Dillon.
The West Indian paceman had to be removed from the attack after conceding 32 runs in his opening four over spell. The first wicket stand was broken when Maraj (16) was caught by Hooper off the bowling of Collins,but by then the partnership had realised 96 runs with Harrison contributing a healthy 72. Desmond Chumney was next man in and must have been thrilled to witness his partner breaking
the 20 year old record.
”It was a nice wicket and I suppose it was just my day,”said Davison, who was born in Canada to Australian parents. ”Once I had worked out the wicket, I chanced my arm.” When asked when he had realised that he had set the record Davison replied, ”I saw it on the scoreboard and it sent a shiver down my spine”.
Davison was eventually dismissed from a stunning catch on the boundary by Vasbert Drakes off the bowling of Wavell Hinds for 111. Canadian captain Joseph Harris said of Davison’s knock,”He is a very positive player and takes calculated risks”.
With that dismissal and the Canadian total on 156 their innings faltered.
Windies fast bowler, Vasbert Drakes (5/44) routed the remainder of the Canadian batting line-up who only managed to add a further 46 runs to their tally.
The West Indies skipper was not happy with his sides bowling.”The first 20 overs were disappointing but all credit to Davison.”
Said Hooper.”The last thing we thought was that a Canadian would come out and play like that. This has been a wake-up call and we have to get our attitudes right for the Sri Lankan game” Hooper added.
However the West Indies batting was far from shabby.They breezed past the Canadian total in 20.3 overs with the loss of three wickets.
Hinds (64) and Brian Lara (73) ensured the win for the Caribbean side who now face Sri lanka in a crucial match next Friday at Newlands. – Sapa
More cricket in our Cricket World Cup special report