Bagai urges Canada to keep it simple
"It's going to be an interesting but tough and tension-packed two weeks in Amsterdam"
A confident Canada arrives in Amsterdam on Sunday for the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 intending to stick to basics in its efforts to go one step further.
The North American side finished second in South Africa last year in an event that also served as the qualifying tournament for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and incorporated Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 2 sides.
"We're confident we can win this tournament," Canada's inspirational captain Ashish Bagai said before his side's departure on its European tour.
"We have trained extremely hard and the boys look sharp and hungry for success. We're not bothered as to how we're being perceived in this tournament. We've focused on our training and I'm happy with the commitment and hard work we have put into our preparations.
"The tournament in South Africa was very tricky and I'm under no illusions that the event in the Netherlands will be any different as every match will count. It's going to be interesting but tough and tension-packed two weeks in Amsterdam.
"What we need to do is to keep things simple and try to keep the best 11 bodies out there as we'll be playing six matches in 10 days. This is something some of the players might not be used to and may find their fitness levels being tested to the limits," Bagai said.
Bagai, the 28-year-old veteran of 46 ODIs and Canada's most successful batsman, admitted next week's tournament was a stepping stone towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
"While the two events are different and separate from each other, the fact of the matter is every match we play and every time we train, it is part of the bigger picture as we look towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
"In the lead-up to the World Cup, we'll try our best to fine-tune our preparations and at the same time try to get the right combination. But we have to achieve all this without compromising on our performance as victories boost your confidence and give motivation, strength and inspiration to aspire towards new heights."
Besides Bagai, Canada has retained Khurram Chohan, Umar Bhatti, Ian Billcliff, Geoffery Barnett and Sandeep Jyoti from the side that lost to Kenya in the final last year. The side also includes left-arm spinner Parth Desai, all-rounder Hiral Patel and 16-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar, all three of whom represented Canada at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 in New Zealand.
"I think we have got a good mixture of youth and experience. You always require experience in close matches and in tough competitions but I'm happy with the youngsters we have in the side. While the senior players have to guide the youngsters, we have to avoid bombarding them with too much information and instead try to give them a free-hand to show their mettle," said Bagai.
Bagai admitted that there will be expectations from him after he scored 345 runs with two centuries at an average of 86.25 at the 2007 edition of this event, a performance that earned him the player of the tournament award.
"The expectations will be there and should be there as I'm the senior-most batsman in the side. I'm aware of those expectations and, therefore, instead of sitting back on my performances of three years ago, I'm ready to start all over again and contribute to the cause my side."
Bagai felt the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 was an open tournament and any side could win it. "I believe it will be a close tournament as every side is capable of toppling the other.
"While saying this, Ireland will start as favourites as it has finished close to the top of every Associate tournament and will arrive in the Netherlands in the back of some useful games against Australia and the West Indies A," added Bagai.
Canada squad:
Ashish Bagai (captain), Geoff Barnett, Rizwan Cheema, Ian Billcliff, Nitish Kumar, Sunil Dhaniram, Khurram Chohan, Umar Bhatti, Parth Desai, Zubin Surkari, Colvert Hooper, Sandeep Jyoti, Hiral Patel, Harvir Baidwan, Amarbir Hansra.
Schedule of Canada's matches
Thursday 1 Jul - v Afghanistan, VCC Voorburg
Saturday 3 Jul - v Scotland, VRA Amstelveen
Monday 5 Jul - v the Netherlands, VOC Rotterdam
Wednesday 7 Jul - v Ireland, VRA Amstelveen
Friday 9 Jul - v Kenya, VCC Voorburg
Saturday 10 Jul - Play-off (venue, opponent tbc)
Matches start at 1100 (local time, 0900 GMT)
This captain's interview is one of six which has been sent out in the days leading up to the start of the ICC World Cricket League Division 1. The schedule for those releases is as follows (including those that have been sent out already):
16 Jun - confirmation of all six participating teams
20 Jun - fixtures, venues confirmations and umpire appointments
22 Jun - Scotland
23 Jun - Afghanistan
24 Jun - Kenya
25 Jun - The Netherlands
26 Jun - Canada
27 Jun - Ireland
29 Jun - Tournament preview
30 Jun - Associate and affiliate player rankings release
In addition, there will be further releases that will be sent out before the event gets underway on 1 July.
For more details, please go to www.iccevents.yahoo.com