GT20Canada: It is whether vs weather in the final week
Cricket enthusiasts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in general and Brampton, in particular, had their spells of exciting cricket during the first 11 days of GT 20 Canada. They are now keeping their fingers crossed over the million-dollar question of whether will cricket whether the weather for a thrilling finale to the big T20 event that has returned to Canada after a hiatus of three years.
On Tuesday when the matches resume after a day’s rest, second-placed Brampton Wolves take on third-placed Surrey Jaguars. While the Wolves have eight points from six games, Jaguars are placed third with six points from five games.
In the second game on Tuesday, leaders Montreal Tigers play Vancouver Knights with the former sitting pretty with nine points from six games while the latter has five points from five games.
Of the 17 games decided so far, rain led to the cancellation of three games. Incidentally, each of the six participating teams figured in these abandoned games leading to equitable distribution of agony.
In the games played so far, Rutherford, who remained unbeaten on 84, continues to be the highest scorer of the tournament so far. Surrey Jaguars ran the highest score of 164 for six. No bowler has taken five or more wickets.
The top three teams as of today – Montreal Tigers, Brampton Wolves and Surrey Jaguars – are sitting tight. While the Wolves and Tigers have completed six games each, Surrey Jaguars enjoy an added advantage as it has garnered six points from five games. After taking on the Wolves on Tuesday, they play the bottom-placed Mississauga Panthers on Wednesday in their last game.
Since no one has control over the weather, the organizers, with the future of this mega event in mind, will have no choice but to take up the issue of drainage of the ground with the City of Brampton. Some areas of the outfield remained drenched in rainwater for much longer periods than the rest of the ground because of the inadequacy of the drainage. Though sawdust was used it did not help much.
On Sunday, the turnout was impressive. Even though the first game was cancelled, game enthusiasts exhibited unprecedented patience as they listened to music, and saw players revelling in soccer and other warm-up games in their long wait to watch their heroes in action. And they were not disappointed as Montreal Tigers and Toronto Nationals played out a six-over-a-side game late on Sunday evening.
When the event gets into its final week, it will have more star players on view at the TDA Arena. Former West Indies captain and legend Clive Lloyd along with Pakistan’s Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar will be there at the ground to meet cricket fans. Brian Lara of the West Indies is already here.
Cricket fans will, however, miss their Indian heroes as not many have come for the event this year.
Prabhjot Singh