Canada showed their 2-1 one-day series victory over West Indies A was no flash in the pan when they showed today they were no less adept at the longer form of the game,.

A steady but substantial effort with the bat took them to 259/9 by the close at the end of the first day of their two-day match at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club.

That should be enough to at least ensure a draw, and perhaps cause a further upset.

On a lovely day in pleasant surroundings Canada won the toss and chose to bat. Canada brought in Melvin Crobning, Codrington, Patel and Sandher. The West Indies, depleted by injury, rested Reon King, and played Guyanese opening bat Azeemul Haniff, flown in to bolster the ailing squad.

Canada opened with Ishwar Maraj, fresh from his half-century in the decisive third one-day match, and Fazil Satteur, Nick de Groot batting down the order. The West Indies bowling was very tight, and the Canadian bats found runs hard to come by without taking risks. Satteur was first to go, bowled by Tino Best with the score on 17.

With Desmond Chumney not playing, Aasish Bagai was tried in the No 3 spot, but without success as he was bowled by Powell for just two.

Maraj and Billcliff showed patience against the West Indian seamers, who at one point bowled five consecutive maidens. When Maraj was caught by Morton off the left-arm seam of Lawson he'd made just 10 out of 32. This brought in Nick de Groot, and the Canadians were looking to him and Billcliff to build a good partnership as the afternoon progressed.

Both got themselves in, but failed to build a substantial innings, Billcliff caught off Best for 16, and de Groot dismissed by Powell.

The Canadians' patience began to pay off as the West Indies bowling started to flag in the afternoon and evening sessions.

Canadian skipper Joe Harris took full advantage with a typically well-crafted innings of 75. He seemed set for a century when he was unfortunately run out. The Canadian lower-order provided excellent support, with Croning contributing 34 before also being run out, Codrington 32, and Kevin Sandher unbeaten on 13 at the close.

Canada scored 123 in the final session, taking their total to 259 with one wicket still remaining.

West Indies captain Ganga tried all his bowlers, using eight in all. Haniff must have been surprised to have been offered the ball - he'd bowled just seven balls in first-class cricket in his career. Powell and Best had bowled well in the morning but as the day went on gave more opportunities to score. Lawson was able to keep his line and length throughout, and conceded just 38 runs from his 18 overs.

A result tomorrow looks unlikely but the Canadians hope to follow up a good first day by gaining at least first innings advantage.

© CricInfo