Kenya Throw Tri-Series Wide Open By Beating Zimbabwe

Kenya 285-9 (Tikolo 102, Obanda 71, Mpofu 6-52) beat
Zimbabwe 190 (Matsikenyeri 56, Varaiya 3-53) by 95 runs

Associates ODI Tri-Series Game 3, Nairobi

Steve Tikolo scored his third One Day International as Kenya beat Zimbabwe in the third match of the Associates ODI Tri-Series in Nairobi, leaving the tournament wide open with the three teams involved (Ireland making up the line up) all having taken a win apiece so far.

Tikolo's 102 from 100 balls helped Kenya reach 285 for nine before Zimbabwe were bowled out for 190 in 38.1 overs.

The best bowling performance of the day came from Zimbabwean fast bowler Christopher Mpofu, who returned career-best figures of six for 52 but a partnership of 158 between Tikolo and Alex Obanda (71) put Kenya in a dominant position.

In trouble at 36 for two when they came together, both men faced 100 balls, Obanda hitting six fours and three sixes, Tikolo helping himself to 12 fours and two maximums before Mpofu's burst of wickets which included Tikolo, caught by Hamilton Masakadza, prevented Kenya from getting to the 300 mark, which looked likely for much of their innings.

Aside from Tikolo and Obanda, the next top score was from opener S Waters, who was run out for 20, while Zimbabwe conceded 24 extras.

Nehemiah Odhiambo then kept Kenya on top by having Masakadza caught by Peter Ongondo for one and Justice Chibhabha caught by David Obuya for six to leave Zimbabwe on 22 for two.

Unlike Kenya, they were unable to rescue the situation, despite fighting knocks of 32 from Timycen Maruma, 25 from Tatenda Taibu and a belligerent 56 in 36 balls from Stuart Matsikenyeri.

Spinner Hiren Varaiya removed Keith Dabengwa (four), Elton Chigumbura (five) and then Matsikenyeri in quick succession to reduce the away side to 152 for seven and any chance they had disappeared when Matsikenyeri was caught by Thomas Odoyo.

Wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva, making his One Day International debut, hit out with a defiant 41 from 40 balls, but it was too little too late and he was the last man to fal, caught by Varaiya off of Tikolo's off-spin.

Odhiambo finished with two for 25, Elijah Otieno two for 29 as Ongondo, Jimmy Kamande and Tikolo picked up a wicket apiece.

© Cricket World 2008