OWN CORRESPONDENT, Nairobi | Sunday 3.00pm.
ZIMBABWE beat Kenya by three wickets in the first match of a four-nation cricket tournament in Nairobi on Saturday, thanks largely to batsman Murray Goodwin.
Goodwin’s 76 not out not only won the match for the Zimbabweans, but also the Man of the Match for the former Western Australia player.
He came into the game when the visitors were in all sorts of trouble after opening batsmen, Grant Flower and Neil Johnson, had been sent back to the pavilion.
Zimbabwe won the toss and put Kenya in to bat, with the hosts setting a target of 199 for eight in their allotted 50 overs.
Opening Kenyan batsman Ravindu Shah maintained his form from the World Cup, hitting a 71 before being caught by Guy Whittall, who also took two wickets as Kenya’s middle-order collapsed.
The match provided the stage for two youngsters to make their debut in international cricket.
Paceman David Mutendera, who replaced the injured Heath Streak, made his maiden appearance for Zimbabwe and conceded 20 runs without taking a wicket.
But for Kenya’s Josphat Ababu, it was a day to remember, as in only his first international for Kenya and with his first ball, he took the prized scalp of Neil Johnson. — AFP
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