Canada to tour India for World Cup preparations

Canada will begin their World Cup preparations in earnest by sending a squad of players to the World Cricket Academy in India as part of a tour that includes games against teams from Delhi, Raipur, Nagpur and Mumbai.

Two of Canada's matches will be played in World Cup venues, the Jamtha International Stadium in Nagpur and the historic Bombay Gymkhana ground, while eight games will be against strong Indian domestic opposition.

The majority of the squad who played the ODIs against Ireland earlier this year will tour but John Davison (work) and Geoff Barnett (work) will join for the final fixtures while Henry Osinde (school) will join midway through. Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan and Hamza Tariq are having to remain in Toronto until their visas are granted. Umar Bhatti is the only one unable to attend due to an injury to his lower leg.

The trip gives Canada a chance to train in the diverse conditions they will confront at the World Cup in February next year, hosted jointly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Ingleton Liburd, Canada's head of cricket, thinks the experience will be vital for the tournament.

"Our commitment is to ensure that the team has every available resource is put into supporting our team ahead of the World Cup," he said.

Cricket Canada's President, Ranjit Saini, was understandably excited to have secured the tour and was grateful for the assistance of the BCCI in making it possible. "BCCI and its member associations have been generous and kind in giving access to good venues and arranging quality teams to play against in an exceptionally busy domestic season," he said. "The spirit of cooperation and the willingness to help has been exceptional."

Tour schedule:

15-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. DDCA u22 (Delhi)
17-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. DDCA XI (Delhi)
21-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. Chattisgarh Cricket Association XI (Raipur)
23-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. Chattisgarh Cricket Association XI (Raipur)
25-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. Chattisgarh Cricket Association XI (Raipur)
28-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. Vidarbha u22 (Nagpur)
29-Nov-2010 Canada XI vs. Vidarbha XI (Nagpur)
01-Dec-2010 Canada XI vs. D Y Patil Sports Academy (Mumbai)
02-Dec-2010 Canada XI vs. Air India XI (Mumbai)
03-Dec-2010 Canada XI vs. Bombay Gymkhana (Mumbai)