Pick, who moved to Toronto a year ago to take up his post, returns to his position as England Under-19 coach next month.

The former Nottinghamshire fast bowler does so with fond memories of the attitude of the Canadian squad, whose lifestyle contrasts sharply to the superstars of India and England, who they ran relatively close earlier in the week.

They bowed out of the tournament yesterday by hitting 249 - their highest-ever World Cup score - in defeat to New Zealand.

"I am absolutely amazed, in awe of the commitment of the Canadian players," said Pick.

"This winter we have been to Pretoria for two-and-a-half-weeks, to Kenya for a month and here for a month.

"For players to take that sort of time off work, some without pay, some losing their jobs, some giving up their family holidays for the next two years for very little recompense, if any, they deserve days like yesterday.

"To come and take milestones away from the World Cup, to improve, show people they are better than they were at the last World Cup.

"Some of these guys go to work at five in the morning, finish at five, drive for an-hour-and-a-half, do three hours practice and do the same thing the next day and outside it is minus 30 - that is a phenomenal effort."

Pick will meet up with Canada again in May, having been granted a few days leave from the England and Wales Cricket Board to coach them ahead of the ICC Intercontinental Cup final against Ireland at Chelmsford.

They will use the facilities at the national academy at Loughborough to prepare for the challenge for the Irish, qualifiers for the Super Eight phase of the World Cup.

"The Irish guys will be used to hitting white balls, so they are going to struggle!" joked Canada captain John Davison.