NEWS
Follow UsIt was a momentous occasion for Canada, as they beat Bermuda in their final Americas Region Qualifier to qualify for their maiden T20 World Cup. However, what has transpired over the last few days has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride for the team.
Amid murmurs of unrest within the camp, head coach Pubudu Dassanayeke was sacked just over a week before the tournament. To make matters worse, three of their star players - Harsh Thaker, Nikhil Dutta and Jeremy Gordon - did not make the squad, and no explanations were given either. However, Dutta, an off-break bowler and a right-handed batter, officially returned to the squad later. As was fast bowler Gordon.
The Final Squad for Team Canada @t20worldcup is here 🇨🇦 #weCANcricket #t20worldcup #cricketcanada pic.twitter.com/1tiT3DAg1E
— Cricket Canada (@canadiancricket) May 23, 2024
Thaker, though, took to social media to vent his frustration.
On May 23, he wrote, “After seeing the T20 WC team announced today, as the vice-captain of the team, I felt it was necessary to share this.
“After suffering from an injury on May 5th, I was referred to the Cricket Canada physio and team doctor, both of whom told me that while it is risky, it is possible for me to play the 20 World Cup in June. Recently the doctor also believes I have a good chance of playing the last 2 games."
“I was told to focus on my recovery and be ready for a fitness test on May 24th, one day before the team leaves for the World Cup. I did just that and my injury has improved dramatically. The coach, Pubudu, has made it clear to me that if fit, they'd want me in the World Cup squad."
“This morning, I heard that I'm going to be dropped from the squad before my fitness test. In response to this, I reached out to several members of the board to have a conversation about this, but no one has responded to me."
“While I wish the rest of the players and coach well for the World Cup, I also feel betrayed and disrespected. As a long-time member of the team, I expected a fair opportunity for me to prove my fitness for selection in such a big tournament. I expected a selector or a board member to at least have a conversation with me. I've been (sic) given neither, I'm extremely hurt and disappointed with the way I've been treated before a World Cup and felt that it was important to share this.”
When Cricket.com reached out to Thaker for a follow-up, he said that he would be allowed to travel with the team, provided he got a clearance certificate from the doctors. However, Cricket Canada has not officially confirmed this. It is believed that Thaker is recovering from an ankle injury.
More recently, the 26-year-old all-rounder played a pivotal role in helping Canada to four wins out of four in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures against UAE and Scotland. During the series, he became only the sixth player from an associate team to smash back-to-back tons in ODIs.
Canada kick-start their World Cup campaign against co-hosts USA in Group A at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, on June 2. They will also take on Ireland (June 7), Pakistan (June 11) and India (June 15) in the group stages.
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