HOUSTON, Texas, CMC—Barbadian Aaron Jones played a cameo as the United States took a 2-0 series lead over Canada with a 31-run victory in Tuesday’s high-scoring second Twenty20 International at Prairie View Cricket Complex.
The 29-year-old, who played the last of his nine first-class games for Barbados Pride in the West Indies Championship five years ago, struck a 20-ball unbeaten 34 with four sixes to help the hosts to an imposing 230 for three off their 20 overs.
Arriving at number four, the right-handed Jones helped add 61 for the third wicket with Andries Gous, who made 57 and a further 33 in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Shadley van Schalkwyk (13 not out).
Captain Monank Patel had earlier top-scored with 68 off 35 balls with ten fours and two sixes, anchoring a 104-run opening stand with left-hander Steven Taylor (54) to provide the innings with an explosive start.
Taylor sparkled in a 25-ball knock that included seven fours and three sixes. When he perished in the deep in the ninth, Monank put on a further 32 for the second wicket with Gous, who lashed three fours and four sixes in a 35-ball innings.
In reply, Canada got a 40-ball 74 from opener Aaron Johnson as they made a fist of it before ending on 199 for all out with two balls left in the chase.
The 33-year-old right-hander thumped half-dozen fours and half-dozen sixes, posting 95 for the second wicket with Pargat Singh (27), before departing in the 12th over.
After that, only Harsh Thaker, with a 17-ball unbeaten 34, and Barbadian Nicholas Kirton, with a nine-ball 21, offered any resistance.
The third game of the five-match series is set for Wednesday.
The United States and Canada are preparing for this June’s Twenty20 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies.
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