Congratulations pour in for Canadian team after World Cup victory

Canada on the front page!

Canada's victory over Bangladesh has given Canadian cricket unprecedented press coverage in Canada. The National Post front page for February 12 features the headline "Canada stuns world with win at cricket championship" over a half page picture of a leaping Austin Codrington. Inside a glowing match report is accompanied by a guide to cricket for Canadians with explanations such as:-

"Bowled: An out which is achieved by a pitch that hits the batter's wickets (sticks), whether or not it is touched by the bat. Akin to a strike-out."

A grinning Codrington is also featured on the front page of Canada's other national paper, the Globe and Mail, and the CBC headlined the Canadian victory on the national newscasts on radio and TV,

Over 100 messages of congratulations to the Canadian team came into the Canadian Cricket Association web site over the 16 hours following the win, from all over the world. A sample of these follows...

"Team Canadawe salute you. Congratulations on a fine victory against Bangladesh centred around outstanding team fielding and bowling. Canada with very limited financial support and without vital preparation outdoors because of our winter, beat all odds! Canada has very great potential, has the ability with some support to move ahead to join the other Commonwealth countries in top order cricket. Congratulations Teamkeep up the good work. Continue to lay the foundation for solid grassroots growth and development."
Dr Geoff Edwards, President CCA

"Congratulations to you and all the Team for outstanding performance beating Bangladesh. The Region "Americas" has to be very proud.Un abrazo"
Dicky Lord

"A big cheer went up today in the office as news of your historic victory filtered through! Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Guyanese, Trinidadians, Russians ... all of us CANADIANS ... are cheering for you guys!"
Anil Varma

"Congratulations to Canadian Cricket team and to you for their excellence performance in the 2003 World Cup, they are capable of producing more surprises for us. I watched the match twice on T.V."
Ken Patel

"You guys have really done us proud, most in Canada may not know or care about this victory, but for some of us, this is a remarkable link to our past where cricket is king and we can say that Canadians CAN and WILL play world class cricket. "
John Macintyre

" I am an Englishman living in England and have not seen so much enthusiasm for the game in a long time. You showed the true Cricket spirit in troubled times"
Steve Seale

"You are top of the table with your other pool winners. You have more points than the Kiwis. You have made the news here in N.Z. Well batted Ian, we are very proud of your great effort for the Canadians. You can all hold your heads high after this great victory."
John & Glenda Billcliff

"In a country where ice hockey is revered, we have shown to the cricket world that determination, concentration, perseverance, fun and team plan can stage major upsets. I am truly proud to be Canadian. All the best from a fan in Dawson Creek BC"
Sunil Bowry

"G'day from Sydney, and congratulations to Canada on a great first-up win in the World Cup. You played as a team, helped and supported each other in a fine display of cricket and thoroughly deserved your win. It is an outstanding achievement and I hope you have more success in the tournament"
Peter Buscall

"I was at Kingsmead last night and I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I was really impressed by your fielding and bowling abilities and I'm sure that pretty soon you are going to give the big guns of cricket a run for their money. I was surprised to learn that you guys have to practice in the snow back home. Despite such adversities, you have really have managed to show the world that you are capable of causing some upsets."
Shane Naidoo

"Well done guys, a truly historic day! As a Canadian living in England you have really given me something to cheer about. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can watch you playing at Lord's."
Ian McCabe