I will endeavour to keep up to date with this throughout the night, however I do have to work tomorrow, so excuse me if I have to tear myself away to go to bed.
Kenya need to restrict Zimbabwe to less than 285 to win the game and level the series. We have the bowlers to do this, but they must all perform to potential. It is especially important that our strike bowlers namely Odoyo, and I would assume Luseno, take early wickets.
UPDATE 1:
Thomas Odoyo has struck early to remove Zimbabwe captain Terry Duffin caught behind for 3. This is exactly the start Kenya were looking for after struggling to take wickets yesterday. Just as Tikolo has renewed faith that we can bat, this should inspire the rest of the bowlers as well. Good to see he is opening with Luseno. After 3 overs, Odoyo has 1 maiden, and 1-4, while Luseno has bowled 1 over for 2 runs. Granted it is very early days, but this is just what Kenya need.
UPDATE 2:
The run chase seems evenly poised at the moment. Odoyo removed Masakadza for 10, caught Ongondo, but Rinke and Taylor are going at over a run a ball and looking dangerous. Zimbabwe are currently on 2-69 after 11 overs, and Kenya now desperately need a third wicket to slow the run rate. A bowling change must be in the offing with Odoyo having bowled 6 overs and taken 2 for 32, and Luseno having bowled 5 and taken 0-35. Ongondo will probably be thrown the ball and asked to either stem the flow of runs, or even better, take a wicket or two.
UPDATE 3:
Peter Ongondo has struck 3 times in 5 overs to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 5-122 after 22 overs. Luseno, who was earlier going at 7 runs an over has also made a comeback, and bowled a tighter line to have figures of 9 overs, no wicket, 43 runs (4.8 an over). All Ongondo's wickets have been players who were looking dangerous: Rinke hit 52 off 45, Taylor was 10 off 10, and Strydom was 18 off 19. Zimbabwe's run rate is still a worry, but the regular loss of wickets will be a concern, and should increase the pressure on the batsmen at the crease. Of the bowlers, we will probably see Tikolo coming in to the attack soon to add further pressure with his spin, and possibly either Kamande or Patel as well. Ababu is a bit of a concern, as he has bowled 2 overs and conceeded 11 runs. In the domestic league, his wickets come from restrictive bowling, which is not happening at this higher level. Zimbabwe's most dangerous remaining batsman is Coventry who is on 17 from 18 balls faced. If we can remove him without conceeding too many more runs, we will be a long way towards winning the match.
UPDATE 4:
Finally a wicket to reward the hard work for Alfred Luseno. He has had Coventry caught by Ouma for 23, which is incidentally his third catch of the day. Steve Tikolo has also had Higgins caught behind for 5 to have Zimbabwe in real trouble at 7-154 with 30 overs gone. This leaves Zimbabwe needing over a run a ball with only 3 wickets in hand. It is good to see Kenya's bowlers doing what they failed to do yesterday. Especially nice is seeing the youngster, Luseno take his first ever ODI wicket - hopefully there will be many more over his career. The game is looking increasingly better for Kenya, but the teenager, Meth still needs to be taken care of. He is currently on 29 with a 100% strike rate, so still a danger. 3 more wickets, and we're there though - it is so close you can feel it.
UPDATE 5:
Kenya are nearing an historic victory at Bulaweyo: Brijal Patel has got in on the act bowling Mahwire, and Utseya has given Ouma his fourth catch off Kamande's bowling. Meth is still putting up a spirited resistance on 42, but it is nearly game over for Zimbabwe. They are 9-183 with 9 overs remaining, so need to score at 11 runs an over. Finally, all that everyone involved with Kenyan cricket has worked so hard for is within our grasp. This is a day that will long be remembered for cricket in Kenya.
UPDATE 6 - VICTORY!
It is all over. Meth out - caught Ouma (who it now appears was falsely credited by the beeb with more catches than he actually took), bowled Patel.
Zimbabwe are all out for 205, and Kenya win by 79 Runs. I will post on this result more at leisure. For now, it is 2:30 am, I'm off to bed and dreams of victory and the great future of Kenyan cricket.
Lala salaama.
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