Saturday, March 25, 2006

Running Updates on Kenya vs Bangladesh 4th ODI

TERRIBLE LAST OVER BY KENYA:
It is indeed Mortaza who bowls the final over. He only allows two to come from it, and Kenya can finish feeling that they have missed a really good chance fo post a serious total. As it is, they finish with 7-225. It is defendable if the bowlers can make some early breakthroughs, and can keep it tight, but will be a huge ask. Bangladesh only need 4.5 on over however, and going on the last three matches should not be too concerned. Let's hope that the Kenyan bowlers are on song today.
RASEL PREVENTS KENYA FROM SCORING:
Painful to write, but Syed Rasel shows why his captain held him back to the end with a fantastic over under the circumstances. He only conceded a single off it, and Kenya now need something really special off the last over.
7-223. Likely Mortaza will be asked to bowl the last six balls.
LAST DITCH EFFORTS BY KENYA:
Mashrafe Mortaza is bowling the 48th over. His first ball to Suji is put away, but doesn't quite reach the boundary. The batsmen run three. Next ball to Obuya is put away for 4. Next ball adds two more to the score. Exciting stuff in these lst few overs. Suji is on 30 off 24 balls, Obuya who is facing has made his way to 42 off 45. Great effort from both batsmen, just a little bit too late for my liking. Next ball, Mortaza strikes back. SUJI is out. Ongondo is the next man in. He goes to 3 straight away off his first ball. Obuya retains strike for the penultimate over with a single. 13 runs and a wicket off that over. Kenya are now 7-222 with just 12 balls remaining. Every run counts from now on in. At the moment, we are probably about 20 runs short of a winning total goinf on last match. Come on Pete and Collins!!!
SUJI SMASHES KENYA PAST 200:
At least there is that mini-milestone out of the way. A much better over from both batsmen. Suji single off the first ball, then two twos and a three from Obuya before Suji does what we have been waiting for the last half hour and belts Syed Rasel for six before retaining strike with a single. 15 off the over, and Kenya march on to 6-209. Three overs left, lets hope they can do the same with these as that last one!
ONGONDO SMASHES LOCKERS IN FRUSTRATION:
Well if I was him I would be. He showed last match how these overs against Bangladesh need to be treated, but Obuya and Suji only manage 4 from the over. #$%*&(^#@!!!!! is all I have to say. Not Happy!
A ROW OF POSTS TO END RAZZAK'S SPELL:
6 singles were all Kenya could manage off the final spell from Abdur Razzak. He finishes with 10 overs, 2 wickets for 51 runs. unfortunately, those two wickets came at a really bad time for Kenya, just as they were hoping to accelerate.
6-190 with 5 overs left.
9 RUNS OFF RAFIQUE:
A better over for Kenya, scoring a run off every ball. Obuya gets a single then Suji his first 4, then a leg bye and singles to complete the over. 6-184 after 44. Need to really get a wriggle on now.
ANOTHER TIGHT OVER FROM RAZZAK:
Only two singles from the first five balls, then at least Obuya was able to get a 3 to give Kenya 5 from the over. They are now 6-175 after 43.
TONY SUJI IS NEXT MAN IN:
It took him three balls to get off strike, but when he did with a single, Obuya was able to take advantage and score his second boundary followed by a single to return Suji to strike. No more runs from the over, Kenya move to 6-170.
DISASTER STRIKES FOR KENYA:
Obuya gets two off the second ball, then a single off the third to rotate strike. all well and good. Thomas Odoyo is caught next ball by Mashrafe Mortaza to give Razzak his first wicket. A dot ball later, Mishra follows him back to the pavilion for a duck, caught by Syed Rasel. Two wickets for Razzak from the over, and Bangladesh must be rejoicing. One has to feel for Mishra. He has been made to wait in the pavilion watching lesser batsmen frustrate him with their inability to score. I would put money on the fact that if he had come in instead of Collins Obuya, things would be a lot different at the moment. Kenya are now in a spot of bother, 6 down for only 164. There are still nine overs remaining, so some hope yet. I can't help but feel that Kenya's strange selection choices continue to make life harder than it should be.
ODOYO OFF THE MARK:
Obuya gets a single off the first ball of Rafique's 8th over, and Odoyo followed suite to get off strike. The rest of the over only produced one run. Mishra and Ongondo must be almost chewing through their pads in frustration!
Kenya 4-161 after 40.
Only 10 overs left, and with 6 wickets in hand, Kenya need to open the shoulders and start having a real go. If you are not able to score freely, get out swinging. There is no point Kenya finishing with wickets in hand if the total is not high enough to defend.
RAZZAK KEEPS PRESSURE ON OBUYA:
Abdur Razzak keeps the pressure on Collins Obuya with four consecutive dot balls then a wide. Collins is finally able to squeeze a run out of the penultimate ball to give Odoyo his first look at the bowling. I feel for Mishra again being left to languish down the order. Hopefully, he will be given a chance to open against Holland. for a team struggling, Kenya do not seem to be trying enough different options for my liking.
4-158 after 39. Come ON boys. Time to swing the shoulders.
RAFIQUE REMOVES TIKOLO:
It is not hard to see why so many Bangladeshi supporters rate Mohammad Rafique as their best bowler. He caused Kenya all sorts of difficulties last match, and has now produced four dot balls to lure Steve Tikolo into belting him for six of the fifth. Unfortunately, it all came unstuck for the skipper next ball as he was given out LBW for a much needed 81 off 85. A great captain's knock, just a shame that it was ended just when he seemed to be in full flight. Hopefully, Kenya can bounce back from this and still go on to a big total. Congratulations Steve - good to see you are back in form again.
Kenya 4-156 after 38.
MORTAZA BACK INTO ATTACK:
Bangladesh have brought Mashrafe Mortaza back into the attack in an effort to get more wickets. His first ball is a single, then he follows up with consecutive wides. Thanks very much say Kenya, but are only able to take 3 more singles off the rest of the over. 6 from it, and Kenya are now 3-150 with 13 overs remaining. Time to start on the launch towards a big score. Tikolo is on 75, and needs to go on to make his century and more for Kenya now.
RANA GIVES AWAY ONLY SINGLES:
Rana only gave away four runs off his fourth over for Kenya to take the score to 3-144 after 36. Kenya need to try to find the boundary regularly as the innings gets into its latter stages.
KENYA EXACT REVENGE ON RAFIQUE:
After removing Modi, Rafique was probably feeling pretty happy with himself. Tikolo however took 2 off his first ball, then 3 off his second to give Obuya the strike. Rafique replied with a dot ball before Collins found the boundary for the first time followed by a 2, then a single to retain strike. Great over from Kenya.
3-140 after 35. This could potentially be a very good score for Kenya if they can keep that up.
COLLINS OFF THE MARK:
Collins Obuya managed to get off the mark straight away with a single, then he and Tikolo rotated the strike taking a total of Rana's third over.
TIKOLO-MODI PARTNERSHIP
Steve Tikolo and Hitesh Modi put on a valuable 95 runs off exactly 20 overs intheir partnership, a run rate of 4.75. While Tikolo was the main aggressor, Modi did his support job well, and so long as the batsmen to come can play their part, Kenya should still be able to finish with a decent total.
WHO WILL BE NEXT IN FOR KENYA?
As Rafique continues to Tikolo (dot, then two), thoughts turn to Kenya's next batsman in. The three likely options are Thomas Odoyo, Tanmay Mishra and Peter Ongondo. After last match, it might be worth Ongondo coming in, then Mishra. Peter has shown the ability to belt the Bangladeshi's around, and Mishra has been consistent. It might be in Kenya's best interests for these two to come in nest should either Tikolo or Modi fall. Rafique's third ball is a dot, then Tikolo gets a single. Well, now we shall see my question answered. Modi goes for a patient 35 caught Rajin Saleh off Rafique's bowling. Collins Obuya is the next man in. Dot off the last ball. This seems a very strange choice to me when both Mishra and Ongondo are still to come.
Kenya 3-123 off 33
RANA KEEPS IT TO TWO
Taking a leaf from Rafique, Rana bowled much better in his second over restricting the Kenyans to only 2 runs from it. They need to avoid getting bogged down here. Rather it is the stage of the innings where the run rate has to be steadily increased towards the last ten overs. As long as we still have wickets inhand at that stage, we can launch towards a better target for our bowlers to defend.
Kenya 2-120 after 32. Tikolo 60 off 68, Modi 35 off 57.
RAFIQUE REMAINS UNFASED:
A tighter over by Mohammed Rafique conceeding only four, keeps the shackles on Kenya. 2-118 after 31.
FINALLY A BOUNDARY FOR MODI:
It has been a long time since the last one, but Hitesh Modi must have been feeling inspired after watching Steve reach his half Century. He hit a four off Manjural Islam Rana's second ball, then rotated singles with his captain for Kenya to take 8 off the over. Two consecutive good overs for Kenya, much more like it!
2-114 off 30
TIKOLO GOES PAST 50 IN FINE STYLE:
Steve Tikolo shows his true class. He took a single off the first ball to take him to 56, then when Hitesh Modi put him back on strike with the third ball, he was all set. Rafique would have been feeling confident as the fourth ball was a dot, then Tikolo opened his shoulders and blazed consecutive fours off the last two balls. 10 off the over, and Kenya move past 100 runs as well to 2-106 at the end of the 29th over. A great innings so far from Tikolo, his 54 have come from just 61 balls at a strike rate of 88. He has hit 9 boundaries along the way, and is showing why Kenya rate him so highly. Lets hope he can keep it up!
RAZZAK CONTINUES, BUT AVOIDS PUNISHMENT:
Abdur Razzak continues to bowl, but this time Kenya are not able to cash in, only scoring 4 singles off his sixth over. Tikolo is now only 4 off his fifty. Lets hope he can get past that milestone and continue on. Kenya needs him to stay at the crease to build a competetive target.
2-96 after 28.
MOHAMMED RAFIQUE REPLACES SHAHADAT:
A bowling change by Bangladesh bringing on their best bowler, and man of the match from game three. The first three balls are dots, then Modi and Tikolo take singles off the next three. Kenya will be wary of Rafique after his match winning efforts last match.
Kenya 2-92 after 27.
KENYA MILK RAZZAK.
I'm surprised Bangladesh haven't made a bowling change yet. Modi and Tikolo scored singles off the first 3 balls of Razzak's 5th over, before Tikolo cashed in with his 7th boundary. Two more singles of the last two balls give Kenya 9 off the over - the best yet.
It is now 2-89, tikolo is on 42 off 53, and Modi goes past 20, he is now 22 off 36. Tikolo has done well to keep the majority of the strike in this partnership.
SHAHADAT CONTAINS TIKOLO:
Hitesh Modi managed a single off the first ball, but that was the only run Kenya managed to get off Hossain's 7th over. At the half way stage, Kenya are 2-80 and still have a huge amount of work to do if they are to get to a defendable total.
TIKOLO KEEPS UP MOMENTUM:
It looked like it was going to be a tough battle between Razzak and Modi this over: Dot, two, dot, dot. Then Modi got him away for a single giving Tikolo one ball from the over to face. As he dealt with Shahadat's last, ball, Tikolo hits it for 4. Seven off the over, and that brings up the 50 run partnership. A good fightback by Kenya, but still a long way to go. The current partnership has lasted for 11.1overs and has been at a run rate of 4.4
Kenya 2-79 off 24 overs.
MORE SINGLES AND DOTS THEN BLAM!:
Both batsmen get a single off the first balls they face, then Shahadat keeps Tikolo pinned down for three before the Kenyan Captain clobbers him to the boundary to relieve the pressure somewhat. 6 runs off the over. Tikolo moves to 32, Kenya are 2-72 after 23.
RAZZAK RALLIES:
A good comeback by the bowler after his last over. Modi gets a single off the first ball, but Tikolo os kept pinned down. He finally manages to get one away off the last ball. Only 2 off the over, not a good one for Kenya that.
2-66 off 22. Richie would love saying that one!
BATSMEN ROTATE STRIKE DESPITE TIGHT BOWLING:
This is what the openers needed to do. Good bowling meant boundaries were not an option, but four singles in the over keep the scoreboard ticking over, and stop the pressure building up. I hope Obuya and Ouma are taking note in the pavilion.
Kenya 2-64 off 21.
KENYA'S BEST OVER SO FAR:
Modi gets Razzak away for a single off the first ball, then Tikolo hits the third one for 4, his 4th boundary. 2 off the 5th ball, then a single to retain strike move the Kenyan captain onto 24, and Kenya on to 2 - 60 after the 20th over. 8 runs came off that over, easily Kenya's best so far. Lets hope they can continue to build.
ANOTHER WIDE SPOILS ANOTHER TIGHT OVER:
Thank the lord for Mr Extras. Shahadat gifts Kenya another wide off his first ball. They need every one they can get. Three runs come off the rest of the over, all singles. Tikolo moves to 17, Modi finally into double figures is now on 11 from 23. Kenya are 2- 52 after 19.
RAZZAK REPLACES RASEL:
Just to prove me wrong, Bangladesh give Rasel a break, and bring Abdur Razzak into the attack with his slow left armers. First ball is a dot, then Modi gets a single. Next ball is dealt with by Tikolo to give him his 3rd boundary. He moves to 16. Razzak keeps it tight the rest of the over, and no more runs come from it.
Kenya now 2-49 after 18.
Current partnership is now 21 runs at 4 an over. Not great, but a hell of a load better than the openers managed!
SHAHADAT KEEPS IT TIGHT:
Extras move to 2 as the first ball goes for a wide. Shahadat rallies, and the next six are dot balls. I hope Tikolo does not get frustrated and do something silly. If it had not been for the wide, that would have been Bangladesh's 5th Maiden!
TIKOLO TAKES 5 OFF RASEL:
Tikolo waited for the bad ball, then despatched it to the boundary, as well as adding a single of the last ball of the over. He moves to 12 off 13. Bangladesh look like they intend to bowl out Rasel, and why not - he has so far only conceeded 21 runs off 8 overs including 3 maidens. Worth noting though that 11 of those runs have come since Tikolo came to the crease.
Kenya 2-42 after 16.
SHAHADAT CONTINUES TO PRESSURE:
Three dot balls to start his second over before Modi manages to get him away for a single. Tikolo does better, one dot ball, then a single off the last ball to keep the strike. Hossain has so far bowled 2 overs for 1 wicket and 7 runs.
Kenya 2-37 after the first 15 overs. If we keep this up, we might scrape to 120 - whehey!
6 OFF THE OVER - HALLELUJAH!
Syed Rasel continues, and initially keeps Tikolo pinned down. The captain manages to get a single off the third ball, then Modi a single off the fifth. Tikolo hits his first boundary off the last ball of the over. Lets hope he can have a long innings today! Kenya 2-35 after 14. Current partnership is 9 runs.
OUMA OUT:
LBW to Shahadat. Again, I am not surprised. He has been totally dominated by the bowlers so far, but to be fair, at least his 16 runs amount to more than Kennedy acieved in his three innings. Tikolo comes to the crease, and promptly gets it away for a single. If ever Kenya need him to come up with a captain's innings it is today. Kenya 2 - 29 after 13 overs.
FIRST BOWLING CHANGE:
Mortaza is replaced by shahadat Hossain. Not a bowler Kenya have had the opportunity to see much of. Two dot balls, then Ouma finally gets it away to the boundary for his first 4 of the match. Shahadat replies with a dot ball. Roger Harper should make the entire top order sit down and write lines:
"I will learn how to rotate the strike." Over and over until they have it memorised.
FINALLY, A BOUNDARY:
Well at least Modi looks like he means business. First ball of Rasel's 6th over goes to the boundary. Its followed by, you guessed it, a dot ball. Then a string of 4 more to complete the over. I think I need a beer!
FIRST WICKET DOWN:
Not surprising really considering the pressure that the bowlers have been exerting. David Obuya finally capitulates to Mortaza with the first ball of his 6th over, adjudged LBW for 6 runs off 26 deliveries. Oh dear, what a dismal start for the visitors. He is replaced at the crease by Hitesh Modi who manages a run off the penultimate ball to open his scoring.
W . . . 1 .
RASEL THE MISER:
They just can't seem to get him away at all. Another maiden. A very slow start from Kenya. A run rate of less than 2 on over so far! This has really got to change. It will be putting a lot of unneccessary pressure on the batsmen to follow.
. . . . . .
THATS MORE LIKE IT:
Ouma takes two twos and a single off the last three balls from Mortaza's 5th over to retain the strike. Kenya now 0-19 after 9 overs. A better over from the Kenyan opener who moves on to 12 from 27 balls faced.
Mortaza's over . . . 2 2 1
KENYA STRUGGLING FOR RUNS:
Another maiden by Rasel, and only 1 conceeded by Mortaza. Kenya's players need to learn how to take the qick singles and 2s to keep the scoreboard ticking along. Kenya 0-14 after 8 overs.
BANGLADESH KEEP IT TIGHT:
A maided over for each of Rasel and Mortaza. Not what Kenya need, but at least no wickets yet. Pressure will start to mount though unless they can make some runs.
0-13 AFTER 4 OVERS:
Ouma moves to 7 off 11, while Obuya adds 1 run from the 3 he faced. It is still very early days, but the current run rate sits at 3.25. Mortaza has conceeded 7, Rasel, 6. there has been one extra.
KENYA WIN TOSS:
Kenya have won the toss at Fatullah and decided to bat. Kennedy Otieno, who has so far had a nightmare tour with the bat has been relegated to sub as Kenya open with his brother David Obuya and Maurrice Ouma. After two overs, Ouma is on 2 off 2, while Obuya is 5 off 10. Mashrafe Mortaza ans Syed Rasel as expected open the bowling for Bangladesh and have each conceeded 4 off their first overs.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Kenya has no lack of talent but the main thing missing from Kenyan cricket is fund. If more money could be supplied then Kenya would come in the top rank. Kenya showed in the last world cup that they have the best talent to fight with any team.