Kenya took a major step to World Cup semi-final qualification when they restricted Zimbabwe to 133 all out in their Super Six match played in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The Kenyans, spurred on by an impressive opening spell of 3/19 off eight overs by Martin Suji, always looked in control throughout the Zimbabwean innings and look likely to join the Australians and India in the semi-finals.
The Kenyans, needing a win from this crucial match to qualify, bowled brilliantly as the Zimbabwean batsmen crumbled around the steady bat of Andy Flower. Flower was the only batsman to pose any sort of resistance scoring 63 runs off 101 balls before being bowled around the legs by Thomas Odoyo in the 36th over.
Kenyan leg-spinner Collins Obuya was also in inspired form picking up three wickets for 32 runs in his 10 overs while fellow spinner Asif Karim bowled a tight spell of 0/20 off nine overs.
Captain Steve Tikolo wrapped up the tail picking up 2/2 off two overs ending the innings when he bowled Dougie Marillier for 21.
The tale of the inept Zimbabwean performance can best be summed up by the bizarre dismissal of Andy Blignaut. Blignaut, at the non-strikers’ end, and Flower were caught up in a mad dash for the crease as fielder Maurice Odumbe fielded and
whipped the ball in.
Only trouble was both batsmen were running for the same end. They both put in a desperate dive with Flower just winning. After a television replay it was decided that Blignaut was out, with his score on four.
The Zimbabweans got off to the worst possible start when openers Craig Wishart and the recalled Alistair Campbell laboured their way to painful starts before being dismissed in the single figures.
Suji, after having dismissed the openers, then got rid of Grant Flower for seven leaving the Zimbabweans reeling at 44 for three. Despite a solid innings by Flower the Zimbabweans never recovered leaving the way open for an historic Kenyan win. – Sapa
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