Kenya: How Cricket Players Were Taken Apart at the World Cup

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Arjun Vidyarthi

25 March 2011

opinion

So Kenya went into the World Cup on the back of two wins against Afghanistan and Ireland; and two losses to West Indies and the Netherlands. Most Kenyans expected the team to pull a number of surprises as it was the case in 1996 and 2003. However things didn’t go their way and were forced to return empty handed. This is how things unfolded.

New Zealand vs Kenya (Feb 20th)

The entire squad had travelled from Colombo to Chennai to take part in our 1st game in the competition. This was my birthday and I was hoping for the boys to give me a fantastic present and get me two points with a win. However, things started off awfully for us. I’m not sure if it was nerves as this was the first time most youngsters were facing world class players; but New Zealand managed to bowl us out for a measly 69 runs. Looking at the scorecard, 5 players were given out lbw and I can only think that the reason for this was the speed that the ball was coming at them. New Zealand managed to reach this total in 8 overs giving them a convincing 10 wicket win.

Pakistan vs. Kenya- (Feb 23)

Kenya’s next match took place in the coastal town of Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The team was ready to bounce back after their abysmal performance versus New Zealand, and had hoped to compete against the Pakistanis. However, there was one person -Shahid Afridi-who tormented them. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first, and our bowlers played well in the beginning, having them at 155 runs for the loss of 4 wickets at one point. It looked like we could go on and restrict them to a chase-able total but once again the players couldn’t kill off the match, and the Pakistanis went on post to score 317 in their 50 overs. Kenya’s batsmen started off well, but once again the top order collapsed. Shahid Afridi cleaned out the bottom order; finishing with figures of 5 wickets for 16 runs in 9 overs. Pakistan bowled the boys out for 112 giving them a convincing 205 runs win.

Sri Lanka vs. Kenya (March 1)

Thing didn’t get any easier for the team with Sri Lanka their next opponents. We were playing the co-hosts of the competition in their backyard in front of a full house. Sri Lanka with the triple ‘M’ threat of Malinga, Mendis and Murali was going to be a tough task for the lads. Indeed, the Kenyan batsmen found it hard to cope versus the Sri Lankan bowling attack. However, the Obuya brothers Collins and David scored 52 and 51 respectively, to lead Kenya to a score of 142. Malingas Slingas caused major damage to the boys as he finished with 6 wickets for 38 runs in 7.4 overs, which included a hat-trick. Once again the Kenyan bowlers found it difficult to restrict the Sri Lankan batsman, as the Lankan Lions reached the target in 19 overs for the loss of 1 wicket-giving them a 9 wicket win. This continues tomorrow.

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