Warwick Workmen’s celebrate promotion with Canada tour

Updated: Sep 12, 2024 03:43 PM

Off to Canada: Warwick Workmen’s at LF Wade International Airport their before departure for Canada on Wednesday (Photograph supplied)

Warwick Workmen’s cricket team have embarked on a tour of Canada as part of their celebrations for winning the First Division 50 overs title,

Lorenzo Tucker’s side are playing three matches against Ontario Cricket Academy, who are coached by Derek Perera, one of the most iconic names in Canadian cricket.

First up is a 40-overs encounter on Friday that will be followed by a T20 fixture on Sunday. On Monday, Warwick are back in 40-overs action before they return home on Wednesday.

While they enjoyed success in the 50 overs competition, Warwick have found the going tougher in the Athene T20 League and are bottom of the standings having lost all four matches played so far this season. They are looking to the trip to Canada as a morale boost for their remaining matches.

Warwick Workmen’s won the First Division 50 overs title (Photograph supplied by Nicki Horan)

“It’s an end-of-season tour to celebrate the great season we had,’’ Tucker said.

“We won the First Division 50 overs title and we won the Western Counties first round, then lost to Willow Cuts in the next round.

“It was still a good season for us and we’re looking to build it by giving the guys international exposure.

“We’ve got a relationship with the Ontario Cricket Academy run by Derek Perera so we’re playing three matches over there.

“We’re also looking to have some net sessions, just to get guys into an international frame of mind. The idea is to continue with this next year and make it even better.

“We last went on tour to Canada in 2019 when we went with Flatts. We won all the three matches against Ontario Cricket Academy.”

While they have to do without the duo of Luke Horan and Luke Fulton who are studying in England, Warwick are boosted by the presence of three guest players in their squad of 12. Tre Manders, who plays for Tucker’s team in the Western Counties, is joined by Cofield Robinson from Somerset and Reggie Baker of Flatts.

Manders going on tour with Warwick means Somerset have been forced to replace him in the Cup Match side facing the touring Americas Select in Sunday’s 40-over contest.