Canada playing for pride

It's all about perspective. A fragment of the equation is useful but often misleading. An ability to appreciate the big picture is key when evaluating a performance.

Such is the case with Canada's cricketers at the Caribbean T20. They are playing for pride with no chance to advance. Perhaps they always were. It was probably unrealistic to expect any other outcome. Enthusiasm can only take you so far and at the elite level, the cream will always rise to the top.

The Canadians seemed to have learned their lesson. After two substandard batting performances, and subsequent hammerings in Antigua, there was more solidity and responsibility in the way they went about their business against Guyana at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The results appeared encouraging. Ruvindu Gunasekera, promoted to opener, made good use of the Power Play while Raza-ur-Rehman, similarly pushed up the order, added to his resume as Canada's most reliable run maker in the Caribbean.

Jimmy Hansra also had a good day at the office. The recently-appointed Canadian captain, who had twice failed with the bat, was determined to lead by example. Patiently and conscientiously, Hansra achieved his top T20 score and by the time he perished off the penultimate ball, his country had finally compiled a total worth defending.

Or so they thought. Enter perspective and experience. Guyana's batsmen had to score at a little over seven an over but they also had to get there quickly to improve their overall run rate. At the conclusion of round robin play it could make all the difference.

Jeremy Gordon, a Guyanese native, was handed the new ball on his Canadian debut. His first delivery was dispatched to the boundary. Gordon was unable to complete his second over after injuring himself, but his 11 balls cost 22 runs. Suffice to say, Guyana was not hanging around.

Guyana put on a master class in the importance of partnerships. Following a rapid half-century opening stand, Chanderpaul and Deonarine came together aware of the urgency required but also in the knowledge their combined contribution would be pivotal to the outcome.

On a good, bouncy batting track the two revelled. In little more than 10 overs, the pair helped themselves to the remaining 91 runs, reaching their target with a full three overs to spare. By T20 standards Guyana cruised to victory despite what seemed to be a challenging Canadian score.

There's no question Canada performed better with the bat. There was more patience and more attention paid to building a decent total rather than taking preventable risks. The big picture clearly revealed their inability to contain an opponent on a wicket full of runs.

Guyana will have to step up its game to reach the semifinals. Its final group match against the unbeaten Windward Islands will decide which team advances. Once again, the Guyanese will have to win in convincing style to qualify for the knockout stages.

In Group B, Barbados should advance with the benefit of home advantage in Bridgetown. Jamaica may well join them in the semifinals but the Combined Campuses & Colleges could still spring a surprise.

After all this is Twenty20 cricket. In this game, foregone conclusions simply don't exist.

Nigel Reed covers the Indian Premier League for sportsnet.ca. Follow Nigel on Twitter at @Nigel_Reed