Canadian spinners make mark down under

Word received today speaks volumes about the quality of Canadian players when they are given the opportunity to play at the top level

Geoff Edwards

22-Nov-2000

Word received today speaks volumes about the quality of Canadian players when they are given the opportunity to play at the top level.

Barry Seebaran is one of the youngest players to compete internationally for Canada. Barry first played for Canada at age 16 in Toronto in a game against a West Indies "A" team in 1989. Barry at age 17 was then rocketed by Chairman Karam Gopaulsingh's Senior Selection Committee into the Senior Team playing in the Associates World Cup in Holland in 1990. Barry justified that faith by arguably being the best leg spinner in the Tournament, even on some "smaller fields".

Barry has played in all Associates /ICC Trophy Events since then. He played in Nairobi, Kenya in 1994 and in Malaysia in 1997. In an effort to improve his game and to better prepare for ICC Trophy 2001 to be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Barry and family have been in Australia for our winter.

Barry has now been been invited to participate in the "SA Outbacks" North/South Trial Match at the Parkinson Oval, on Saturday 25th November and Sunday 26th November 2000.

This is in preparation for the Australian County Cricket Championships and this match "will form the Basis of the selection of the final thirteen to travel to Canberra. " Selection for this match is an honour in itself. The squad for the Australian County Championships will be announced after this trial match."

Barry writes on Nov 28:

School is coming to an end here at Murrayville. I've been busy writing student reports. The weather is really heating up in the country. Yesterday, it hit 40 degrees! The trial match was at Kensington (Sir Donald Bradman's old club). The wicket was superb. I bowled 27 overs and took 3 for 42. I was pleased with this bowling performance, but not as pleased with my job with the bat (9 runs). Anyway, it was a great weekend of cricket and I'm now looking forward to the country championships being held in Western Australia (January 3-13).

December update

I played my second match with the South Australia Outbacks last Sunday. We played against an Adelaide A Grade team, Tea Tree Gully, in the West End Cup. We lost the toss and found ourselves on the field in 38 degree weather. Their opening batsmen weren't afraid to make their shots early and got off to a flying start. The wicket was once again as flat as a road and the outfield was rock hard. Needless to say, the batsmen got value for their shots. Tea Tree Gully ended up with 221 for 9 in their 50 overs. I was pleased with my spell of 3 for 24 off 10 overs, but it would have been nice to keep them under 200. We made 180 or so before being bowled out. I make a pathetic contribution of 2. I'm hoping my batting will click soon, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. We have no more games before the Country Championships in Albany Jan 3-13.

Two other Canadians are down under. Kevin Sandher, the star of a recent West Indies U-19 event has also availed himself of the MCC Coaching School in London, England. Kevin has been invited for further spring cricket training. Funds are however in desperately short supply. We shall see how many Canadians can "take the time to assist".

The third Canadian spinner is John Davison, who is expected to make a mark for Canada in the 2000/2001 ICC Trophy. His stylish performances and proficiency were most evident in the games he played for Canada and the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.

John and the others have made significant personal efforts in turning out for Canada in 2000! Let us hope that everything went according to plan for these players as well as others who need your support. STAY TUNED FOR OTHER CANADIAN SUCCESSES..

Canadian players need your help in order to better prepare for the ICC Trophy 2001 and to try to qualify for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. The CCA's Treasurer, Colin Harvey, provides federal tax receipts.

Donations and volunteers are urgently needed. Match Referees, Scorers, Umpires are all needed, plus local transportation and liaison people. Get on board now.

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