The match has been reduced to 44 overs per innings.
I had no idea that it was still so early in Zimbabwe - they must origionally have been due to start at 8:00am!
Kenya Win Toss and Elect To Bat.
Steve Tikolo has won the toss, and decided to bat first. After 3 overs, Kenya are on 15: Maurice Ouma 11 off 11, and Kennedy Otieno still trying to get his eye in on 1 from 9 balls. Rainsford and Ireland Open the bowling for Zimbabwe with contrasting results. Rainsford has 2 overs, 1 maiden and conceeded 2 runs. Ireland has bowled 1 over for 13. If we can continue to treat their best bowler like this, we could do well, but must not allow the others to get on top of us. Especially in a match where run rate could be the all important deciding factor.
Zimbabwe appear to have made one change to last match with Chigumbura replacing Mahwire. Kenya's side is unchanged.
UPDATE 1:
7 overs gone, and Kenya are not off to a good start. Ouma has perished for 12 bringing Tony Suji to the crease. Rainsford who took the wicket now has figures of 4 overs, 1 Maiden, 4 runs and 1 wicket. Last match he went for 5.3 an over! Ireland has also tightened up after his loose start. Kenya need to get on top of these bowlers otherwise it will put a lot of presure on the batsmen who come in later on. It is now 1-20. A run rate of only 2.8!
UPDATE 2:
Things are going from bad to worse in the Kenyan innings. After 12 overs, we are now at 3-45 having lost both Kennedy Otieno and Tony Suji. This reinforces the fact that the selectors need to examine the top of the order. Otieno is still our best choice to open, but maybe needs a different partner to Ouma. Options include Mishra, or David Obuya who both have experience facing the new ball. Number 3 should probably be either Ouma or Mishra. I feel Ouma should be retained in the team, despite his nightmare start to the tour, but tried one place down the order.
At least Kenya's run rate has risen a bit to 3.75, but it is still a long way from what we need. Tikolo and Odoyo, now have to consolidate and put on a really good partnership for Kenya here.
Rainsford has taken all 3 wickets. Otieno fell caught Taylor for a slow 13, while Suji managed 6 off 11 before being caught by Utseya.
UPDATE 3:
Disaster for Kenya. Steve Tikolo and Thomas Odoyo have both fallen cheaply. Tikolo to Ireland for 9, and Odoyo lbw to Utseya, also for 9. It is now up to Mishra and Kamande to try to rescue some respectability for the Kenyan innings. Mishra is currently on 13, and Kamande on 7. Unfortunately it looks as though the decision to bat first with moisture in the air is really going to come back to haunt the tourists. David Obuya can possibly be brought in as a sub - possibly for Patel, but Kenya's chances are certainly looking bleak at this stage. After 20 overs, Kenya are 5-77. Run rate is pretty immaterial now - we need to bat out the remaining overs, but it is 3.85.
UPDATE 4:
Another wicket - this time Mishra caught Taylor, bowled Higgins for 17. As expected, David Obuya has been brought in to try to help Jimmy Kamande steer Kenya to a total at least in the last 13 overs. If the pitch is as bad as Kenya's innings makes it look, we may be able to defend something in the region of 150 plus. This has not been a good performance though by the batsmen whatever the pitch. Kenya are now on 6-96 with 13 overs remaining. It is imperative that we at least see these out, and get what we can from them.
UPDATE 5:
Kenya on 8-106 as Rainsford strikes again. Brijal Patel joins Obuya at the crease. I'm puzzled by the choice of player subbed off for Obuya - it must be either Ababu or Luseno. I would hope Ababu, as Luseno might be a better chance of taking a wicket. 6 overs left, and a pretty dismal total on the board. Kenya are going to do well to avoid a humiliation here. At least both these players have something to prove in terms of selection. If ever there was a time to grab your chance, this would be it.
UPDATE 6:
Kenya's innings has ended on 133 all out with just 7 balls remaining. The wickets to fall were Obuya - caught Duffin, bowled Rinke, Patel run out for 6 - inexcusable under the circumstances, and Ongondo bowled Rinke for 8. Credit to David Obuya for top scoring with 21. It is not a good score, far from it, but at least it can be defended. It will however, take a supreme effort to do so - Kenya will need early, cheap and regular wickets if we are to avoid a heavy loss. There is not much good to be taken from the Kenyan innings. Kamande and Mishra again showed potential without fully realising it, and Obuya did enough to warrant another chance. For the rest, it has simply posed more questions. Hopefully, the second innings will bring more joy, but it could be an unpleasant afternoon for the tourists.
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