Canada, in their fifth West Indian cricket competition since making their debut in Guyana in 1995, beat Antigua and Barbuda by 34 runs yesterday at the magnificent Beausejour Stadium here in St. Lucia to register their first win against a Caribbean side.
The North Americans, whose only other victory was against the USA, were all out for 172 in 49.4 overs after they were asked to bat first on a slow track and spongy but lush green outfield in brilliant sunshine.
Antigua, in only their second regional competition as a separate team from the Lee-ward Islands, then slipped from a comfortable position of 55-1 in 16 overs to be all out for 138 in 40.2 overs as the Canadian spinners caused problems for all the batsmen.
Antigua, whose solitary win in the competition was against the Southern Windwards last year, seemed well set for their second win with make shift opener Anthony Lake (23) and Sylevster Joseph (34) batting without much worry against the Canadian pacers.
However, once Trinidad born left arm spinner Barry Seebarran removed Lake and Ian Title (0) in the same over to leave the score on 55-3, Antigua lost eight wickets for 54 runs as they slumped to 109-9.
It was really all over when West Indies 'keeper Ridley Jacobs (1) lofted Seebarran straight to mid off with the score on 87-5.
Off spinner John Davison, who was born in Canada but learnt his cricket in Australia, trapped Joseph lbw just when he was beginning to look dangerous and also sent back Kerry Jeremy (0) on his way to figures of 2-25 from 10 impressive overs.
Seebarran, not afraid to give the ball air, finished with 3-32 from 10 overs while Grenada born pacer Davis Joseph, who made the break through by getting rid of opener Bertrum Baltimore (5), had 2-35 from eight overs as the Canadians fought back well.
Earl Waldron, one of only four Antiguans to get into double figures with 26 was last out bowled by former Guyana captain Nicholas DeGroot after featuring in a face saving last wicket stand of 29 with West Indies pacer Adam Stanford who was left unbeaten on 16 with three fours.
Twenty wides in 21 extras failed to help the Antiguans cause as the Canadian fielders offered excellent support to their bowlers.
Canada, just off a 2-1 one-day series win over the West Indies 'team in Canada last month struggled against the Antigua pace attack as only two batsmen reached 20 when they batted.
Sattar and Desmond Chummey (15) took the score from 23-1 to 66 after Ishwar Maraj was taken at second slip by Sylvester Joseph for 10 to give Simons his first wicket.
DeGroot, a former West Indies youth player who was born in Canada, then fell for a second ball duck as he edged a ball which left him from Simons and was caught by Joseph at second slip to leave the score on 72-4.
Skipper Joesph Harris who last played for Barbados in 1989, made 16 while Indian born 'Keeper Ashish Bagai (19) before Cornwall removed them both to leave Canada on 119-6.
Austin Codrington lifted the innings with an attacking 33 with three fours and a six from 30 balls before he was removed by Jermey at 162-9.
Simon's 4-21 was supported by Jermey (2-22) and Cornwall (2-37) as Canada fell for their modest total, which, in the end was too much for the Antiguans who face Trinidad and Tobago in their next match on Saturday.
Canada, with two Guyanese in their team, play their next game against Guyana tomorrow while the zone 'B'of the competition continues today with Trinidad taking on the Rest of the Windwards.