Kirton and Thaker are fighting the good fight
After Johnson's departure, it was Nicholas Kirton and Harsh Thaker who kept Canada in the hunt until the last couple of overs.
Kirton came in at No 4 after Pargat Singh had been dismissed for 27 off 26, and tried to drive a six over deep extra cover but could only find the hands of Aaron Jones on the edge of the rope. Kirton smashed two sixes and a boundary to reach 20 off 8, but a delivery from right-arm seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk, angled away from the left-hander, edged him to the keeper. Bin Zafar followed two balls later in similar fashion to end another crucial over in USA's favour.
Thaker came into the innings determined to make a game of it, and his rapidfire 34 off 17 took Canada just shy of 200. Thaker is at his best when he is in shape, and there were a couple of beautiful straight drives that highlighted his ability to score quickly while hitting the ball cleanly in orthodox fashion.
11 April 2024, 20:07