Canada and Bermuda prepare to do battle

Canada take on Bermuda in their final group match of the ICC Intercontinental Cup on Friday, knowing that victory is essential if they are to progress to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Canada, who crushed USA in the opening round of the Americas group, are currently sat in second position in the table, and need 16 points from this match to clinch top spot. All things being equal, Canada should progress with ease - though Bermuda gave USA a scare, they still lost by 117 runs.

The three-day match will take place at Sunnybrook, Toronto - a venue that has caused considerable controversy, although the Canadian board insists that pitch will be fit and ready in time. It will be the first first-class game to be played in Canada since September 1951 when MCC beat Canada by 141 runs.

Last week, Scotland became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals, to be held in Sharjah in November, when they beat Ireland by eight wickets in Dublin. The African and Asian semi-finalists will be decided in the coming months, as Malaysia take on UAE in Kuala Lumpur from 17-19 September, and Kenya and Namibia do battle in Nairobi from 1-3 October.

Canada squad John Davison (capt), Desmond Chumney, Subin Zurkari, Ashish Bagai, Manzoor Chaudhary, Haninder Dhillon Don Maxwell, Sunil Dhaniram, Kevin Sandher, Austin Codrington, Ashish Patel, Umar Bhatti.

Bermuda squad Clay Smith (capt), Dennis Archer, Delyone Borden, Jekon Edness, Reginald Tucker, Oliver Pitcher, Dwayne Leverock, Irvine Romaine, Stephen Outerbride, Wendell White, Ryan Steede, Kevin Hurdle, Saleem Mukudden.