Pick Hopes For Upsets

Reports & previews

Cricket365
March 14, 2007

Canada coach Andy Pick admits his unfancied side's only target is reaching the Super Eight phase of the World Cup.

Canada coach Andy Pick admits his unfancied side's only target is reaching the Super Eight phase of the World Cup – but knows even that is an optimistic aim.
Pick believes, however, his side can exceed expectations in the Caribbean providing they cut out the mistakes which can undermine lesser nations' chances of success.
Pick's side take on Kenya in Group C in St Lucia today in a match that gives them the chance to avenge their recent ICC World League defeat to the Africans.
Former Nottinghamshire bowler Pick told the BBC: "We're under no illusions that we're going to win the World Cup, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility for us to qualify for the Super Eight phase.
"All the coaches will have been stressing to the associate teams that you have just got to minimise the number of mistakes you make.
"There is talent in the team, but we probably make more mistakes than the big boys.
"There are basic things in one-day cricket – your fielding has got to be good, you have to bat for 50 overs and you have to post a score of at least 200 just to get in the game.
"We have dominated periods of games – we had Pakistan at 60 for four at one stage last week, although they ended up with 270 – and we hope to keep improving during the World Cup.
"But I've told the guys that Kenya is the big one. If we beat Kenya, we're just one lucky break away from achieving something spectacular."
Holland showed last week Kenya may be vulnerable, as they came within 10 runs of beating the 2003 semi-finalists.
But Canada also showed weaknesses in their warm-up campaign.
Ireland romped to a seven-wicket victory in Thursday's clash after posting a meagre winning total of 116.
England and New Zealand, the two favourites in Group C, meet on Friday.