Toronto — Canada leaves for Bangladesh on Friday, joining 15 other countries at the under-19 cricket World Cup.
"One of their biggest adventures in their cricket career," coach Franklyn Dennis said of his young charges.
At their sendoff Wednesday night, the proud youngsters in their green Canadian cricket blazers were reminded to be ambassadors for their country, to remember that cricket is a gentlemen's game and, oh yes, bring the trophy home.
Let's just say, enthusiasm was running high at the time.
Two years ago, Canada went 0-5-1 at the tournament. The Canadians came into that competition seeded 16th and last, based on their showing at the 2000 event in Sri Lanka.
Canada opens Feb. 16 against Australia, which was unbeaten en route to the title two years ago in New Zealand.
But spirits are high all around Canadian cricket these days. A new executive has taken over the sport, led by Ben Sennik as president.
Sennik noted Wednesday evening that six million Canadians come from a cricket heritage.
Hockey may be the coolest game on ice, but cricket has roots in Canada. The first international match was between Canada and the U.S. in 1844. Sir John A. Macdonald even declared it Canada's national sport, according to cricket historian Donald King.
Today Canadian cricketers face obstacles, not the least of which is the climate.
The Canadians have been practising indoors, using nets and a batting machine on an artificial surface, in recent months.
Captain Umar Bhatti had to stop and think, when asked the last time he had actually played a game outdoors on grass. It was a trip to Jamaica with the senior side to the Red Stripe tournament in October.
The last under-19 game outdoors was in Guyana in August.
But the Canadian say they won't be awed by the big-name competition that awaits them.
"We're not going to play against names," said Bhatti. "One-day cricket is about what you do on that particular day, that's what determines the final outcome of the game."
It's a mantra for the whole team.
"Cricket is played on the field and it's played with a bat and a ball, two teams consisting of 11 players one each side," said Dennis. "We're going there to come out on top.
"We're not going to play names, we're just going to play bat and ball."
Bhatti, a Toronto native who just turned 20 and is a veteran of the 2000 tournament, is one of the many all-rounders on the Canadian team. A left-arm fast bowler, he opens the Canadian bowling attack and has also opened the batting order.
At their sendoff, a modest ceremony bursting with genuine emotion and pride, the Canadian players were presented with pins and, courtesy of Air Canada, small toiletry bags.
Local cricket enthusiast Zool Gova kicked in $500 — to be split between the team's top batsman and bowler.
"I decided to give something back," he said.
Canada has been drawn in Pool A with Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, The top two teams in each group advance to the Super Eight, while the bottom two go to the Plate competition.
The Canadian goal is to make the Super Eight, says an optimistic Bhatti.
"If they give 100 per cent of whatever it is they have on the field and remain focused and dedicated to the task, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that we could upset someone," said manager Patrick Christian.
Of Canada's initial opponents, Zimbabwe might be seen as the weakest although Christian notes all three are Test-playing countries — part of cricket's elite.
Other countries competing are Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, Uganda and the West Indies.
The Canadians qualified by becoming Americas champion, defeating Bermuda.
Canada is taking 14 players and three officials to Bangladesh. The good news for the cash-strapped Canadian Cricket Association is that the International Cricket council picks up the bill.
As coach, Dennis has his own cricket memories, having played at the 1979 World Cup.
Against England, Dennis scored 24 of Canada's 45 runs.
He also recalls facing former Pakistan star Imran Khan, at the time considered the fastest bowler in the world.
"I hit him two fours and a two," Dennis said. "They took him off after that."
