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Inept moments turn Canadian skipper's joy to despondency

There were few happier people in the early stages of the last World Cup in 2003 than Canada's John Davison.

It's a fair bet there were few more downcast in the early stages of this one after the Canada skipper saw his side suffer a crushing seven-wicket loss to Kenya.

Davison, who four years ago hit the fastest-ever hundred at a World Cup, off 67 balls, against the West Indies at Centurion, was powerless to prevent his side collapsing to 199 all out after losing the toss on Wednesday.

In reply Kenya, whose spinners had strangled the life out of their fellow minnows' innings, finished on 203 for three with 40 balls to spare with captain Steve Tikolo unbeaten on 72.

In a Group C also featuring England and New Zealand, this match represented the two non-Test nations' best chance of a victory.

But after seeing opener Geoff Barnett get the innings off to a sound start with 41, Canada fell away.

"It's an opportunity missed for us," Davison said.

"It's going to be pretty hard to have two good days against England and New Zealand. If we'd won this game, we had a better chance of beating one of them," he said.

The North Americans had some particularly inept moments, their last three wickets falling, in Davison's words, to "village and embarrassing" run-outs.

Afterwards the former South Australia off-spinner admitted: "There weren't too many positives there for us. Geoff Barnett got use off to a pretty good start but once he was out I don't think we competed for the rest of the game. That pretty much sums it up."

Davison was also annoyed with his team's limp efforts in the field where is bowlers sent down 18 wides.

"It didn't click. It was really disappointing. We haven't bowled that many extras in a game for a long time. Maybe the pressure of the occasion got to us," Davison said.

Kenya's spinners all had days to remember, none more so than left-armer Hiren Varaiya (one for 19 off 10 overs) and Jimmy Kamande (two for 25 off 10).

"The left-arm spinner is a good spinner but I don't think there is a world-class spinner in that team," said Davison, who refused to blame a pitch that became increasingly slow and low for Canada's defeat.

"I don't think the wicket will pose too many problems for the big boys," he said.

In his record-breaking display against the West Indies, Davison opened the innings.

But this time, batting at No 5, he could only manage eight before being clean bowled by Kamande.

Davison said he didn't expect to be opening come Canada's next match, against England, on Sunday.
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