Kamau Leverock was named as twelfth man for Vancouver Knights against Toronto Nationals, but local umpire Roger Dill was appointed with Jamaican Patrick Gustard to officiate in the opening match of the Global T20 Canada Tournament in King City, Toronto, on Thursday.

The Nationals won by six wickets after the Knights, sent in, scored 227 for four in their 20 overs. The Nationals replied with 231 for four with just four balls remaining, New Zealander Anton Devcich named man of the match after scoring 92 not out off just 44 balls.

“I umpired a previous match with Gayle in Canada some time ago, and Sammy in Bermuda,” Dill said. “This was the first T20 with all of them. I think there were about 32 sixes in the 458 runs!

“Overall it was a good experience. The pace of the game was much quicker than the local game. With the use of the third umpire for run outs, stumping, catches, it adds a further dimension to umpiring. It was a very good atmosphere with both West Indian players and West Indian fans.”

Dill, who will be in Canada for the duration of the tournament, added: “The Test players really bring a positive approach to the matches, shown through their dedication and respect for all the players, umpires and officials.”

Devcich, coming in at 60 for two in the fifth over, partnered Steve Smith, the former Australia captain who is serving an Australia ban over a recent ball-tampering scandal, in a 91-run third-wicket stand. Smith departed at 151 for three, scoring 61 from 41 balls.

Devcich went on to finish with ten fours and six sixes after sharing in an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 46 with captain Darren Sammy, the former West Indies skipper, who finished with 22 not out. Wicketkeeper Johnson Charles, another West Indian, helped set the pace for the run chase with a knock of 30.

Earlier, Evin Lewis of Trinidad scored 96 from 55 balls after opening the innings with Chris Gayle, regarded as the most explosive batsmen in the T20 format.

Gayle departed for 17 on the first ball of the fourth over before Lewis played a Gayle-like innings in dominating subsequent partnerships to help the Knights pass the 200-run mark.

Lewis was fourth out on 205 before Andre Russell, another West Indies player, finished with 54 not out from three fours and six sixes after coming in at No 5. He and Lewis put on 75 for the fourth wicket in just five overs.

The tournament continues with the Knights playing against the Winnipeg Hawks tomorrow.