Ahead of the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Regional Final against Canada in Ontario on Sunday, Bermuda coach Cal Waldron has raised some concerns from the warm-up matches against Cayman Islands and Bahamas.

On Thursday, Dominic Sabir stood out with ball and bat for Bermuda to overcome Cayman by 30 runs. Sabir scored 46 and Rawlins compiled 37 for Bermuda to compile 172 for seven.

The off spin bowler then took four for 21, with Zeko Burgess and Derrick Brangman weighing in with two wickets apiece for Cayman to be cleaned up for 142 runs in 19.1 overs.

On Friday, Rawlins’s all-round prowess delivered an 18-run triumph over Bahamas. Rawlins stroked a 57-ball 77 and Onias Bascome scored 54, from 34 balls, as Waldron’s side posted 163 for six.

The left-arm spinner took two for 26 in four overs for Bahamas to be restricted to 145 for five.

Bermuda and Canada, the two top teams at the qualifier square off at Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in the tournament opener, before they bring the curtain down on June 22.

“We did get two wins but there’s still some things to work on that the players are aware of,” Waldron told The Royal Gazette.

“Against Bahamas, the bowlers brought us back into the match after a slow start. These are some of the things for the bowlers to sort out.

“Players are aware of the things to correct come Sunday. We definitely want to get better without losing early wickets when we’re batting, and giving up excessive runs early into the match.

“We’ll use Saturday as a tactical session, bringing in the analyst and reviewing everybody’s performance from the warm-up matches. We also have to analyse Canada and come up with a game plan.”

Rawlins is delighted to hit form at the right time ahead of the crucial tournament. The former captain carried his brilliant batting for Bailey’s Bay into the Bermuda Smash Invitational, where he finished as the leading scorer.

In five innings, the left-hander scored 223 runs for runners-up Sandys Spartans, with a best of 70 in a high-scoring thriller against Smith’s Sixers.

“It’s nice to be in some form going into a big tournament for the nation,” Rawlins said.

“I just have to keep going; it was also nice to see some of my team-mates also in form. If we can stretch this form to Canada, then we do well and qualify for the World Cup.”

Rawlins was the team leader when Bermuda hit Canada with the surprise element, winning by 86 runs at White Hill Field in the opening match of the last final qualifiers in 2023. The Canadians turned things around to win by 39 runs on North Field, National Sports Centre, to qualify for the 2024 tournament, held in the West Indies and United States.

“This time it will be different,” the 27-year-old said.

“We’re playing on their home patch, but it won’t change our approach. We’ll still play aggressive cricket and look to take the game on, those things will put us in good stead to get two victories against Canada.”

Captain Terryn Fray also hit top form during the later stages of the BSI to finish fifth with 119 runs. His crucial unbeaten 69 powered Hamilton Parish Hurricanes to back-to-back titles.

“I’ve to reset because we have bigger challenges ahead of us,” Fray said.

“Delray played well, so did Tre Manders and Derrick Brangman bowled well, so we should be fine. We have to just put it into play in Canada, that’s all that matters.”

The Bermuda Cricket Board has given as much support to Waldron in a bid to secure the island’s first appearance at a World Cup in this format.

Waldron has Andre Coley, the West Indies head coach, as a high-performance consultant. In addition to Coley, Indian analyst Sampath Seshadri is working with the team in Toronto throughout the tournament.

“It’s critical to have an analyst working with us,” Waldron said.

“It’s part of the everyday T20 format, analysing teams and breaking it down to players. That helps us to strategically plan then it makes the match much easier.

“Coley came with us to Cayman Islands for the North American Cup, so he’s familiar with the players and what we’re trying to achieve. It’s good to have him back and carry on the work that he did in Cayman.”