Trevin Bastiampillai

One of Canada's new breed, it is hoped that Trevin Bastiampillai will be able to fill the void left when some senior players begin to retire. He was part of the Under-19 side for several seasons and played alongside his brother Gavin at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. The following year he caught the eye with a sparkling 110 not out against Bermuda in the ICC Americas Under-19s Tournament, dismantling bowlers who went on to play for the senior side in the 2007 World Cup.

In 2006, he graduated to the full side, primarily as a batsman but he is a good fielder who can also provide variety with his off-breaks. He had little to do in his first couple of outings but the former national coach Andy Pick certainly believed he was good enough to be involved. Canada had hoped that playing with and against more experienced players would stand him in good stead as they looked to build on their Intercontinental Cup Final appearance in 2007, but Bastiampillai suffered a slump in form in 2008. He fought his way back to form and fitness, however, and established himself as a reasonably consistent middle-order presence. After a series of failed starts during Canada's trip to Sri Lanka in January 2010, he registered a half-century in each innings against Afghanistan in Sharjah only for Mohammad Shahzad's unbeaten double hundred to guide Afghanistan to a record-breaking win. Yet to fully mature as a batsman, Bastiampillai nevertheless remains an important member of Canada's set-up in the lead-up to the 2011 World Cup.

Alan Curr September 2010