Series: Americas World Cup Qualifiers Sep 2021
Venue: Reforma Athletic Club, Naucalpan
Format: ODI
Toss: Canada
Result: USA by 10 wickets
“Who’s in the House? We Are!”
The United States sent a message to all of the teams in this tournament with an emphatic 10 wicket victory over Canada. Their on-field chant of “Who’s house is it? Our house!” was quite apt as they bowled and fielded as if they did indeed own the place.
Kamna Mirchandani won the toss for Canada and chose to bat first, not allowing the capitulation of Argentina for just 12 runs in the early game to impede her decision. It might have been better if it did, for Canada came across a pace attack that dominated in the conditions, exploiting the variable bounce and making it difficult to score. The bowling was backed up by excellent work in the field.
The excellent young medium pacer Suhani Thadani (2-7) took the first wicket, removing Achini Perera for just 1 run from 14 deliveries. It was tough going for the batters and this brought about pressure from an ever alert fielding unit. Miryam Khokhar (23) was the first of five runouts. Yes, five. The running between the wickets was a debacle.
Apart from Khokar, the only other batter to reach double figures was Divya Saxena (22*) as Canada limped to the 20th over, finishing with 70/9. Thadani was best with the ball but it is hard for bowlers to get wickets when the batters are running themselves out. Tara Norris (0-9), Sara Farooq (1-13) and Moksha Chaudhary (1-17) were all excellent with their spells. Chaudhary supplemented her single wicket with being involved in two of the runouts.
It was a complete reverse with the batting when the USA came to bat. Not a wicket to fall – certainly not a runout – and runs scored at a brisk pace. Gargi Bhogle (39*) and Shebani Bhaskar (21*) were untroubled as they knocked off the required runs inside 11 overs, the USA victors by 10 wickets.
The elegant left-hander Gargi Bhogle was named Player of the match for her 39 not out, with two catches and a runout. She is also the chief motivator leading the chant. It sure looked like “our house!”
Scores:
Canada 70/9 (Miryam Khokhar 23, Divya Saxena 22*, Suhani Thadani 2-7) 20 overs
USA 71/0 (Gargi Bhogle 39*, Shebani Bhaskar 21* ) 10.5 overs
Player of the Match: Gargi Bhogle