Kenya - following our footsteps

[Tehsin]

Yikes. Looks like Kenya has found out how a way to get Test status. They have started playing like - US.

Zimbabwe crush Kenya
AFP, Bulawayo


Zimbabwe thrashed Kenya by nine wickets in the final international of a three-match series at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Zimbabawe win the series 2-0 and underlined the huge task facing the Kenyans ahead of the World Cup in February.

The Kenyans struggled to put together 133 all out and they lasted only 28.5 overs, leaving the Zimbabweans to coast to the victory target in only 16 overs and with the loss of just one wicket soon after a lunch break and then a short rain storm.

Zimbabwe fast-medium bowler Henry Olonga destroyed their middle and lower order batting with 6-28, but it was not his career best for he took six England wickets for 19 three years ago.

Only Steve Tikolo's 34 and Maurice Odumbe with 48 put up any resistance as they formed a partnership of 82 for the fourth wicket, which should have been the platform for a reasonable score.

However, Kenya collapsed in dismal fashion. The other nine batsmen scraped together only 37 between them, producing a disappointing end to an uninspiring series.

Even another batting failure by Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, who scored only five, wasn't sufficient to raise Kenyan hopes of springing a surprise even marginally.

Pinch hitter Andy Blignaut joined Mark Vermeulen and they saw off the necessary runs without difficulty, both making half centuries, to take the home side to victory with nine wickets in hand.

Zimbabwe manager Babu Meman said afterwards: "The Kenyans are going through a bad patch. But for us there are several positives, not least a settled side before we go into World Cup camp after Christmas."

[Sham]

Hey, maybe we will beat Kenya in the world cup! This gives me hope!

[Piranha]

...as I have leant from numerous BD matches. So lets not look forward to the game too much. Personally I prefer to just take it as it comes and participate in the bashing afterwards.

[Edited on 16-12-2002 by Piranha]

[rafiq]

notice the z coache's comment on importance of "settled side" - imp for our context