If Canada was to have any hope of challenging USA's massive 231, it had to start with Aaron Johnson setting the platform.
Making his intentions clear with sixes off the second and third balls of the innings, Johnson pulverised everything in his zone, leaving cameramen and fielders searching for the ball well beyond the boundary.
The biggest of grounds can barely contain Johnson's massive hitting, and Houston is far from a big ground. Johnson's blistering 74 from just 40 deliveries featured six fours and six sixes, and another 10 deliveries he faced could have proved decisive for Canada at the rate he was going.
Dared to play away from his body by left-arm orthodox bowler Nisarg Patel, Johnson smashed a short wide ball straight down the throat of long-off to leave Canada 114/3 after 11.3 overs, needing 117 runs from 51 balls.