The third One Day International gets under way in Harare later today. So far, the first two matches have given vastly different results, and that makes today's game all the more exciting. Zimbabwe drew first blood against what was a Kenya team arguably tired after a travel debacle that saw them waiting 9 hours in Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Electing to bat, Kenya were restricted to 229, a score that Zimbabwe hardly broke a sweat in reaching. One day later and everything had changed. Again Kenya batted first, but this time, led by a captain's innings by Steve Tikolo, it was the Kenyans who always looked in charge. Several players contributed to the 79 run win, as the bowlers took regular Zimbabwe wickets during the chase after the batsmen had set Zimbabwe 285 to win.
Today will be a different venue, and a different wicket, so it is hard to call. One of the key players for Zimbabwe will be Ireland - he has taken 5 wickets this series already. Their most dangerous batsman is opener H P Rinke. He scored 42 in the first innings, and a half-century in the second. If we could knock him over early, it would do them a lot of damage. So far, Peter Ongondo has got him both times, so look out for an early spell from him. Of their other batsmen, Duffin, Masakadza and Taylor all scored half centuries in the first innings, but failed in the second.
For Kenya, our key player is obviously Steve Tikolo. He is scoring at a run-a-ball so far, and if he can notch up a second big score, it would put us in great stead. Kennedy Otieno did well to reach 74 in his first innings, but only managed 13 in the second match. Either he, or Maurice Ouma, who has yet to make his mark, needs to get the Kenya innings off to a good start. Two other players who have impressed so far are Thomas Odoyo - his input will be crucial with both bat and ball, and Kenya's top bowler thus far, Peter Ongondo. It would be really great to see one of Kenya's bowlers end the day with a 5 wicket haul. Youngsters Alfred Luseno and Tanmay Mishra seem to be gradually finding their feet. Kenya will be looking for continued improvement from them over the next three matches. It is a difficult game to pick, but I am going to go with the heart and go for Kenya. I think the first match caught us a bit unawares, and we have had time to acclimatise, so the experience gap should mean more . I will of course be doing my best to run a play by play commentary as and when I can.
Today will be a different venue, and a different wicket, so it is hard to call. One of the key players for Zimbabwe will be Ireland - he has taken 5 wickets this series already. Their most dangerous batsman is opener H P Rinke. He scored 42 in the first innings, and a half-century in the second. If we could knock him over early, it would do them a lot of damage. So far, Peter Ongondo has got him both times, so look out for an early spell from him. Of their other batsmen, Duffin, Masakadza and Taylor all scored half centuries in the first innings, but failed in the second.
For Kenya, our key player is obviously Steve Tikolo. He is scoring at a run-a-ball so far, and if he can notch up a second big score, it would put us in great stead. Kennedy Otieno did well to reach 74 in his first innings, but only managed 13 in the second match. Either he, or Maurice Ouma, who has yet to make his mark, needs to get the Kenya innings off to a good start. Two other players who have impressed so far are Thomas Odoyo - his input will be crucial with both bat and ball, and Kenya's top bowler thus far, Peter Ongondo. It would be really great to see one of Kenya's bowlers end the day with a 5 wicket haul. Youngsters Alfred Luseno and Tanmay Mishra seem to be gradually finding their feet. Kenya will be looking for continued improvement from them over the next three matches. It is a difficult game to pick, but I am going to go with the heart and go for Kenya. I think the first match caught us a bit unawares, and we have had time to acclimatise, so the experience gap should mean more . I will of course be doing my best to run a play by play commentary as and when I can.
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