Dillon Heyliger elated with Canada’s T20 World Cup qualification

Oct 25, 2023 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – Versatile all-rounder Dillon Heyliger has expressed elation of Canada gaining a qualification berth for the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup which is slated for 2024 in the West Indies and jointly USA.

Dillon Heyliger

Recently Canada participated in the Americas Qualifier with three other countries in the round-robin format.

The other teams were: Hosts Bermuda, Panama and Cayman Island.

Canada and Bermuda played their final match with both teams needed a win to go through. Canada won by 39 runs which understandably triggered unbridled celebrations.

“I [am] extremely happy to be part of the victorious team Canada in the qualifier and more elated that we have qualified for the World Cup next year,” Heyliger related.

Ironically, Canada suffered their only defeat against Bermuda in the opening round but Heyliger mentioned the guys played very hard, smart and committed cricket throughout the tournament.

“We played great cricket despite losing to Bermuda; we had aimed for the World Cup qualification and everyone was just eager to do well,” an overwhelming Heyliger commented.

The Canada-based Guyanese Heyliger stated that the tournament was very competitive and was not surprised since the winner will have an opportunity to play in front of the world.

“Our plans were well-executed in Bermuda; we prepared very well for the tournament despite some challenges with conditions and artificial pitches, but we were disciplined enough to come out on top in every department of the game,” the 34-year-old Heyliger, who represented his native country at the youth level, declared.

Heyliger is a right-arm seamer and right-handed batsman. He contributed with both bat and ball having hit a highest score of 30. During the tournament, opener Aaron Johnson struck 121 to propel Canada to a resounding 163-run win over Panama.

A few games were truncated and abandoned due to rain leaving Bermuda and Canada with the best net-run-rates to clash in the decider.

In the midst of the competition, there was a Hurricane which pounded the Island with heavy rain-fall periodically.

Meanwhile, Canada have never featured in the biennial T20 World before since it inauguration in 2007 but the North America nation went to the 50-overs World Cup on few occasions.

The 2024 edition is billed for June 4-30. Twenty teams, including reigning champions England, will take part.

The Canada side is expected to play two overseas T20 series in Dubai and Oman before starting the coveted World Cup campaign.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Americas, Canada, Dillon Heyliger, International Cricket Council, qualification

Latest News