Series: Americas World Cup Qualifiers Sep 2021
Venue: Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan
Format: T20I
Toss: Brazil
Result: Brazil by 5 wickets
Brazil’s Fielding Defeats Canada
The very best of fielding skills were on display today as Brazil rolled Canada for just 47 runs, going on to win by 5 wickets.
Brazil’s Roberta Avery won the toss and invited the Canadians to bat. It was a cautious start by the openers Miryam Khokhar (2) and Divya Saxena (3), runs hard to come by, the impact of both good, tight bowling and a team in the field that looked like they had a couple of extra players, so energetic and alert, led by the captain at cover. Nothing could penetrate the field.
A little partnership of 14 between Sonali Vig (13) and Mahrukh Imtiaz (13) took the score to 30 but it was tough going and wickets continued to tumble. Imtiaz was dismissed in the final over leaving Canada with 47 runs. Brazil’s bowlers Nicole Monteiro (4-6) and Laura Cardoso (3-12) were the main destroyers.
Brazil also found the going tough when it was their turn to bat – more so the pitch, for they struggled with the variable bounce. It should be noted that this team has never played on a turf wicket until this tournament. Their most experienced batter Roberta Avery (17) used up 44 deliveries to anchor the innings and it wasn’t until the 19th over that her team crossed the finish line.
The pace bowlers have dominated this tournament so far but Canada’s off-break bowler Hala Azmat (2-8) was outstanding and easily Canada’s best. Brazil’s Nicole Monteiro was named Player of the Match for the excellent bowling figures of 4-6, but of note her contribution of 7 not out from 5 deliveries was significant in the context of the match.
Some suggest that this was an upset victory for Brazil over Canada, but Brazil always keep themselves in any game just on the back of their fielding. They did it again today.
Scores:
Canada 47 (Sonali Vig 13, Nicole Monteiro 4-6, Laura Cardoso 3-12) 19.5 overs
Brazil 49/5 (Roberta Avery 17, Hala Azmat 2-8) 18.1 overs
Player of the Match: Nicole Monteiro