Lockhart and Sheikh grind Canada

Scotland 286 for 3 (Lockhart 126*, Sheikh 92, McCallum 30) v Canada
Scorecard

	Douglas lockhart celebrates reaching his hundred © Eddie Norfolk

An unbeaten 126 by Douglas Lockhart, supported by Qasim Sheikh's 92, took Scotland to a commanding position of 286 for 3 on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup game against Canada in King City. It was a bad toss to lose for the home side as their bowlers toiled on a flat pitch at the Maple Leaf North-East Ground.

Scotland batted comfortably despite having less than a day to acclimatise themselves to local conditions after their arrival was delayed because of a hurricane in Bermuda, where they had played their previous game.

Canada tasted early success when Fraser Watts was trapped lbw by Eion Katchay with the score on 21, before Lockhart and Sheikh took control till tea. Qaiser Ali, the Canada captain, used eight bowlers to force a breakthrough but to no avail. The pair scored five boundaries each before reaching their half-centuries, with Lockhart reaching the mark first.

Scotland proceeded to 168 at tea before Sheikh unfortunately fell eight short of a ton shortly after the interval. They had added 173 in 57.1 overs. Debutant Sami Faridi, the chinaman bowler, who was the receiving end of a real pasting by the pair, broke through with one which turned across Sheikh, who edged to the wicketkeeper while attempting to work it to the leg side. Sheikh faced 194 balls and hung around for as many minutes, hitting 11 fours.

Canada struck again with the wicket of Richard Berrington but the mainstay, Lockhart, remained till stumps with Neil McCallum. Lockhart faced 211 balls to reach three figures and ensured the advantage remained with Scotland despite the fall of a couple of wickets in the final session.