Kenya: At Last the Boys Show What They are Capable of Against Australia.

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Arjun Vidyarthi

15 March 2011

Kenya can still hold their heads up high despite losin their 5th World Cup game by 60 runs to Australia by 60. It was a fantastic performance and one can only wish they had played like that from the beginning of the competition. Who knows the results could have gone our way?

Playing against the likes of Australia is no joke especially with players like Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Shaun Tait and Brett Lee among others. Kenya Skipper Jimmy Kamande lost the toss and his counterpart Ricky Ponting decided to bat first on a wicket where big scores have been the norm. This was the same ground, where India and England played out that 328 run a piece tie; and also where Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien hit the fastest hundred in World Cup history. So basically, you could say it is a batsman’s paradise.

Kenya started off really well, restricting the Aussies in their first few overs. Thomas Odoyo used all his years of experience to keep the score rate down. However, his good work was spoilt by bowler Elijah Otieno, who unfortunately the Australians had targeted to attack.

Skipper jimmy Kamande then brought on Nehemiah Odhiambo, and the lanky dread locked player made a breakthrough in the 7th over, sending Shane Watson back to the pavilion for 21 runs. This brought Ricky Ponting on the crease and a partnership of 89 followed between him and Brad Haddin.

Kenyan skipper Kamande finally got danger man Haddin in the 25th over, and Ricky Ponting followed 4 runs later after a fantastic bit of bowling from Collins Obuya. Kamande then bowled a fantastic delivery to dismiss White, leaving the Aussies reeling on 143 for 4 wickets. However, this is Australia and they have a lot of batting quality. Vice skipper Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey picked up the run rate once again, smashing the ball all around the park and putting together a 114 run partnership with 93 and 54 runs respectively. These two players ensured that Australia finished their 50 overs with a score of 324 for 6.

Now it was Kenya’s chance to show the world what they could do. Many thought this game would be a walk over for Australia and the boys were desperate to prove them wrong. Things didn’t start of that well for us with Morris Ouma once again not getting a start.

Morris is desperate to get back into the runs once again, and hopefully he will do just that against Zimbabwe in the last match. Alex Obanda followed Ouma back to the pavilion a few overs later. However, his inning will be remembered for a huge 98 metre six that he hit of Shaun Tait. As I said before, Obanda is one of the cleanest hitter of a cricket ball that I have seen for a long time.

His only problem is that he gets a little too excited after hitting big shots. If only he stayed in a while longer, who knows what could have happened. David Obuya was then run out by his brother Collins leaving Kenya struggling on 46 for 3 after 10 overs. But queue the innings of one Tanmay Mishra and Collins Obuya. It was a joy to watch these two play. They showed just how easy it easy to play spinners if you move correctly towards the ball. The duo put together a 115 runs partnership, and it looked as though they could go on and each score a ton.

However, Mishra was run out by Collins for a well played 72 runs. Thomas Odoyo then came in and carried on with the run scoring, smashing a quick fire 35 as Kenya tried to chase down the target. After some time, we all saw that a win was out of question, so the main aim was to bat out the 50 overs, and try and help Collins Obuya get his century. Unfortunately Collins could only manage to score 98 runs not out as Kenya finished their overs scoring 264 for 6. We lost by 60 runs but we can hold their heads up high for a fantastic performance. Collins was named man of the match for his one wicket and 98, and I must say he played a truly great knock.

Looking back, I can’t help but wonder what could have happened if a few things went our way. What if Collins had caught Brad Haddin in the slip instead of seeing the ball fly just past him; What if Michael Clarke had missed his throw at the stump to run out Mishra. Despite all of these “what ifs” I have to say that I’m proud of our boys and hopefully they can take this momentum into the final game against Zimbabwe.

AllAfrica – All the Time