Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

TORONTO, Canada:

A magnificent maiden record one-day international (ODI) century by Jamaica's Xavier Marshall, led the West Indies to a 49-run win over Canada at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club here yesterday.

The 12 sixes surpassed the 12-year-old ODI record of 11, jointly held by Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya and Pakistani Shahid Afridi.

The visitors won the toss and piled up 303 for four off 50 overs in their second match of the three-nation tournament. Canada, led by a brutal innings of 89 off 69 balls by Pakistani-born opener, Rizwan Cheema, showed early signs of challenging the total, but fizzled late to finish with 254 in reply off 47.2 overs.

Partnership

Man-of-the-match Marshall, batting at number four, smashed an unbeaten 157 off 118 balls, including 12 sixes and 11 fours. His last 57 runs came off only 18 balls.

The right-hander walked to the wicket with the score on 50 for two and openers Chris Gayle (19 off 26 balls) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (20 off 42) back in the pavilion. He shared in two century partnerships.

First, he put on 128 off 135 balls with Leon Johnson (51) for the third wicket and 111 with fellow Jamaican Brendan Nash, who made 39 not out, his second consecutive undefeated innings of the tour. Both Johnson and Nash were playing their second ODIs.

Marshall, who had a promising series against the Australians recently, produced a gem on a bright day in Toronto in front of a fair-size crowd, slowly building momentum then letting loose at the end.

"I felt really good," he said after the game. "The wicket was not coming through, but I stuck with the task, kept my eyes on the ball and played through the line of the ball and that helped me get a good target."

Excellent form

The innings was particularly pleasing to coach John Dyson.

"(Marshall's) form was excellent," said Dyson. "He batted at number four, took some time to get started, worked himself in. Once he got the pace of the wicket, we've seen him play some magnificent shots. We know he's got the potential to do it.

"The important thing about his innings today is that he's taking on the responsibility to bat through the innings and keep going," Dyson added. "As a team, we've been talking about the importance of doing this all the time."

Preparation

The West Indies are here as part of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy next month.

But while their batting shone, the bowling and fielding were not as impressive.

Cheema, in particular, took advantage, smashing 10 fours and six sixes in 77 minutes of pure power hitting.

Two sharp stumpings and a brilliant diving catch by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr. were bright spots for the West Indies.

Nash picked up three wickets for 56 off 10 overs and Dave Mohammed two for 34, also off 10.

Jermaine Taylor finished with one for 56 off nine overs, Darren Powell one for 40 off eight, and Roach one for 49 also off eight.

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.