Blitzed!

The less said about Kenya's batting effort in the third ODI against Bangladesh, the better. Several players looked as thought they had got starts, then got out. Mortaza finished with 6/26 and we were all out for 118. Kamande made way for Malhar Patel who made 15 off 54 and Modi was dropped in favour of Brijal Patel, who made 1. Odoyo top scored with 29.

Ouch - thank god I was at work cleaning up a flood rather than watching that all unfold.

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It is a real shame for the Kenyan bowlers that the batsmen have been unable to give them a decent total to bowl to. In each match so far, they have taken wickets and had our batsmen made anywhere upwards of 220, we could have been looking at a 3-0 sweep the other way. As it is, we are going to spend the next couple of months fending off accusations of mediocrity and questions as to why the standard of cricket has fallen so much.

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In a couple of weeks, the Commonwealth centre of excellence team arrive to play 3 One Dayers against the national team. In my opionion it would benefit us far more if that were changed to be one 4-day match. Cricket Kenya also need to get the top 50 or so players in the country playing the longer version of the game. If we do not do something to improve our standards, the WCL in January and the World Cup after are going to be very painful indeed.

Heroes Or Zeros

Today sees the third and final ODI match against Bangladesh and Kenya have one more chance to snatch an unlikely victory. The visitors will go into the match favourites having won the first two games, so a win for Kenya would indeed be an upset and the team would be looked on as heroes. A loss would, according to the Predictor for the ICC ODI Championship table, leave Kenya with 0 points, and a rating of 0 after '9' games. Why the two wins against Canada are not counted, I have yet to work out. In qualifying for the place on the table, Kenya earned points from matches before they were on the table and were awarded these when they got their place back. Canada, not being on the table, would be considered to have 0 points, so for the wins against them, Kenya should have been given 50 points for each game. This should have given us a rating of 16 going into the Bangladesh series rather than 7. It doesn't make a huge difference to us as we would still be in 11th spot, but at least we would not be looking at 0 points if we lose the last match. It could however become a serious issue once a second Associate gains a place on the table.

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If the ICC was serious when it granted the six top Associates One Day status, surely any matches played involving them should earn points towards the Championship table. In the FAQ section, the blurb even says:

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"EVERY ODI will count (apart from No Results)"

and

"All ODIs are treated equally."

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Yeah right. If that was the case, why is it not happening? Or are some more equal than others. As the Associates get to play more matches, especially against each other, this will become a big issue. You will have teams coming on to the bottom of the table with skewed points as they will only carry through those from playing teams already on the table. This does not and will not give an accurate picture of the relative standings of the lower ranked teams.

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So far, Sri Lanka should have earned points for beating the Netherlands, England for beating Ireland, Pakistan and Ireland for beating Scotland and Kenya for beating Canada. As far as I can tell, none of this is happening. Only when Full members can actually earn points by playing the Associates will OD status actually mean anything and encourage them to play more of these matches. The ICC have done good work in spreading the game, but only when there is an even playing field for ALL teams and a way of ranking them, can they be considered to actually have achieved anything of substance. Until then, it may as well be hot air.

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In the mean while, good luck to the Kenyan team in their efforts to salvage a win from the last game of the series. It can be done, only one player really fired last game and that nearly did it for us. If three or four can do it this game, who knows. Unfortunately, I will not be able to comment much on the first innings, but should get home from work mid way through the second. I will post my two bits then.

NPCA Results Week 2

Sorry it has taken so long to post these results from last weekend (6th Aug). They only came through on Saturday and I got too caught up with the ODIs to post them until now. This weekend's games (12 Aug) were also postponed to allow as many players as possible to attend the two ODIs. Normal play will resume next week.

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With several players away on national duty, there were no matches in the Super Division.

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DIVISION I:

Kanbis Sports Club 'B' Vs. Parklands S.C Rhinos at Eastleigh Sec Sch
An amazing result saw a tie between the teams. Kanbis posted 177 All Out which was equalled by Rhino's 177 For 9 Wkts. Kanbis got most of their runs from Harish Vekaria (37) and Dharmendra Mepani (35) while it was Arun Balaram (43) and Hitesh (34) who top scored for Rhinos. Hitesh also chipped in with the ball taking 4/29 assisted by a miserly 3/14 from Rohit Vekaria. Kanbis's best bowlers were Altaf (2/39) and Vijay Jesani (2/41).

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Ngara Sports Club Vs. Swamibapa 'B' at Ngara S.C.

The hosts batted first and were reduced to 90 all out thanks to great spells from
Narendra Kanji (3/14) and Sailesh Vekaria (3/16). Top scorers for them were
Rajan Patel (17) and Kush Patel (13). Swamis looked very comfortable in reply with opener Maurice Ouma hitting an unbeaten 58, no doubt partly responsible for his return to the national team over the weekend. Kalpesh Patel (1/23) and John Mariga (1/23) both took a wicket, but after such a small total had been posted, it was always going to be Swamibapa's game and they went on to win by 6 wickets.

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Shree Cutchi Leva Youth League versus Kongonis Cricket Club 'B' at Pindolia Academy.

SCLYL batted first and were all out for 117, Paresh J Kerai (31) the only batsman to really make a mark. Alex Finlay (4/34) and Richard Collins (2/17) the main destroyers for Kongonis. In reply, a well crafted 40 from Kenyan sailing international, Christopher Childs, aided by Duncan Allen (18*) took Kongonis to a 4 wicket victory. Nishyant Premji (2/18) and Snehal Bhuva (2/29) doing most of the hard work for SCLYL.

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Premier Club versus Ruaraka Sports Club 'A' at Premier Club.

Batting first, Premier posted 129 all out, their main scorer Ketan M Patel with 31. Gopal Hirani (2/15) and Kapil Joshi (2/20) both finishing with economical figures. David Maina gave Ruaraka a big boost towards the total with 63, and despite no other batsman getting over 20, Ruaraka made it to victory with 3 wickets in hand. Alpesh Vadher (3/26) and Vijay M Patel (2/19) doing their best to keep Premier in the game.

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DIVISION II:

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Nairobi Nookers Cricket Club versus Simba Union Sports Club at Nairobi School.

Nookers batted first and posted a very commendable 279 for 9 Wkts. Both David (60) and Jerry (51) weighed in with half centuries, while the pick of the bowling for Simba Union were Vijay (4/66) and Ritin (3/37).
Union's reply was lead by a fine 56 from Nadeem, but their next best effort came from Manpreet (19) and they crumbled to 138 all out. Rajesh (4/35) and Alfred (3/20) ensuring that the good work of Nooker's batsmen was rewarded with a 141 run victory.

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Stray Lions Cricket Club 'A' versus Aga Khan 'B' at Simba Union.

Lions batted first and made 184 all out thanks to national team fringe player David Obuya (46) and Mohammed (46). Fellow Kenya team hopeful Ashiah Karia (4/30) Aha Khan's main striker aided by Mohsin Ali with 2/38. It was these two that starred in Aga Khan's reply as well with Ali just reaching an unbeaten hundred. Karia chipped in with 34, and it was enough to take Aga Khan home to a big 7 wicket win. Sai Gaurav (1/21) and Shinas Ahmed (1/37) a wicket each, but not enough for the lions.

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DIVISION III:

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Golden XI versus Oshwal XI at Highridge Pr Sch.

A low scoring match saw Golden XI bat first and struggle to 140 all out thanks to good bowling from Josephat (3/22) and Mehul (2/20). Harit (31) and Rushab (24*) the top scorers. Oshwal found the going even tougher thanks to an on fire effort from Somba (5/30) and Sanish (2/30). Top scorers were Pradeep (21) and Josephat with 20. Golden XI defended the low score to win by 18 runs, Oshwal all out for 122.

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Nbi Jaffery Sports Club 'B' versus Stray Lions 'B' at Nbi Jaffery S.C.

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Jafferys have their bowlers and Mujahid Khatau in particular to thank for a tight 2 wicket victory over Lions B. His figures of 5/8 the reason stray Lions only managed 120 all out. Qamar Abbas would normally have been top bowler with 3/15, but has to be content with the support role. Pradeep (27) and C V Rao (22) top scoring for Lions. In reply, what should have been an easy target was made to look difficult as Ashwin (3/21) and Sandeep (2/10) made the batsmen work for runs. Jafferys top scores exactly matched those of their visitors: Saqib Khan (27) and Amir Keshvani (22), in the end only the bowling making the difference.

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Parklands Sports Club - Ndovu versus Telca Cricket Club at Parklands S.C.

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Vinod (61) and Rohit Pankhania (41) lead the way with the bat for Ndovu who made a very respectable 223 All Out in their overs. Kenneth Otieno (3/45) and Ravikant (2/46) having to work hard for their wickets. In reply, Telca were aided by a celebrity appearance by Nelson Mandela who made a fine 46 to outshine the younger Otieno (26). I assume this is the scorer having some fun with a nickname...

Neel Shah (3/28) and Mansukh (2/28) and the other bowlers doing enough to ensure Ndovus stayed on top for a comfortable 59 run win.

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Ruaraka Sports Club 'B' versus Sir Ali Muslim Club 'B' at Ruaraka S.C.

I already posted the match report from this match, but a brief recap of the results: Sir Ali cruised to a massive 175 run win thanks to 115 from Abdul who followed it up with 4/7. They are looking very strong in this group and will no doubt already have one eye on Division II next season.

Robbed!!

Ok, now I am really iritated. Yes we lost, and yes Tikolo got a rotter of a decision preventing him from staying at the crease and preventing a collapse, but things like that happen in cricket and you need to move on. What has really got me ticking this morning is seeing the Man-of-the-match award go To Mortaza rather than Odoyo. To my mind, the award should go to the player whos contribution makes the biggest differenct to the match. Yes Mortaza played well, but basically performed to expectations. From 6/45, Bangladesh would have looked bloody silly if they had lost this game. One man nearly made that happen. Thomas Odoyo not only stopped the rot, but went past his personal best in an ODI, marshalling the tail and inching Kenya's total towards respectability. Then he went nuts at the end of the innings to take Kenya to a defendable target. Not finished with that, he came back to take 4 wickets for 36 and keep Kenya in the match right up until the final couple of overs. Without him, there would have been no match, there would have been a rout. Thomas Odoyo, I don't have a great big cheque, or bottle of bubbly to present you, but I'm sure I do have the support of every Kenyan fan when I name you our Man Of The Match. May the flatulence of a thousand elephants disturb the sleep of whoever decided to give the award to someone else.

Bangladesh Reply 2nd ODI

Over 46:

Mortaza takes a single off the first ball. two dot balls then a 4. Bangladesh have the series in their hands almost now. So sad. Two dot balls to end mean Kamande will have to bowl. Mortaza will be licking his lips. In fact it is Collins Obuya who is thrown to the Tigers. A no-ball hit for four gives Bangladesh a 2 wicket win and the series. We came so close and yet ended up so far away. There are lots of IFs and Buts from this match, but in the end, Bangladesh were just too good. Still, from 6/45 in the first innings, it was a great fightback, and while I mourn the loss, spare a thought for Thomas Odoyo. What a great effort from him. We have lost the series, but today was no disgrace and should give the team the confidence that they can win the final game on Wednesday.

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Over 45:

Almost the last throw of the dice for Kenya. Ongondo delivers three dot balls, but we need wickets. Mortaza takes a single off the 4th. Ongondo has 2 to get rid of Razzak. No joy, he is able to keep them out. Tikolo will now have an over, but then must bowl Kamande. Bangladesh almost there. So very disappointing.

10 required off 30 balls.

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Over 44:

Odoyo would like another over, but has had ten. Odhiambo comes back for his last instead. Not a good one for us. 2,1,1,4 from the first 4 balls despite a decent line and length. Another 4 from the 5th and Mortaza seems to have almost taken this away from Kenya. 13 runs from the over leave the Tigers only needing 11 more to win. Where are those last 2 wickets coming from?

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Over 43:

Tikolo going for broke brings in Ongondo. Kenya must get 2 wickets if we are to pull off this upset. Ongondo is all over Razzak getting him to swipe, then beating him all ends up. Edge off the last ball, but doesn't carry to slip. SO frustrating.

1 off the over. 8/167. Bangladesh need a further 24 off 42. Kenya really need the last 2 wickets.

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Over 42:

Tikolo tosses the ball to Thomas Odoyo. Nairobi holds its breath. He starts the over with a god line and the first three balls are dots. Then there is the familiar no-ball. We need that wicket. Instead Mortaza crashes a 4. Things are slipping away again. Odoyo finishes his 10 overs with 4/36, a fine effort in itself, even better when put next to his great effort with the bat (a personal record by the way). Bangladesh doing thier best to spoil the party though.

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Over 41:

Tikolo starts well, but after a couple of singles, Razzak belts it back over his head for a six. Not good for Kenya. We need Odoyo to come back and get one more wicket...

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Over 40:

Jimmy Kamande into the attack and bowls a loosener Kenya can ill afford conceding a boundary. Follows up with a full toss, but luckily Mortaza can't capitalise. He does get an outside edge off the third ball that flies past the keeper for another 4. Not good. Maybe Tikolo needs to bring on the strike bowlers and try for the final two wickets. Two singles give 10 off the over. Really not what Kenya needed.

8/146. 39 needed off 60 balls. Given that Tikolo will take 5 of the remainng overs and Ongondo, Odoyo and Odhiambo have 4 between them we need one more from Kamande. Maybe we need to gamble that we can bowl them out before we take this risk.

Over 39:

Tikolo continues to wieve his miserly spells. Only 2 runs off the over, and again the run rate needed creeps up. It is still achievable, but with only 2 wickets left, the pressure is well and truly on.

8/136. 49 needed from 11 at 4.25 Still very tight.

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Over 38:

Ababu to bowl his last over. A cuple of singles and a big swing and miss from Mortaza. It looks at first as though Ababu is going to end his effort wicketless, but no. Last ball of his 10 overs, he gets the reward he so richly deserves. A big wicket too as it is Khalid Mashud who makes his forlorn way back to the dressing room after trying to hook a short one. It goes miles into the air, but Modi has safe hands below and Kenya move that one step closer. A fitting end to Ababu's bowling. He finishes with 1/43 including a maiden off his ten. On a more fortunate night, it could have been 4-for.

8/134. Runs required: 4.25 per over.

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Over 37:

Tikolo continues. Worked away for two singles off the first two balls. Only one more off the over though, another one that keeps the run rate edging up. Kenya still need that 8th wicket to really keep on the pressure.

7/132. RRR: 4.07

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Over 36:

Ababu back for his 9th. Tikolo trying to use him up here I think leaving Odhiambo and Odoyo an over each for later if they need. Ongondo still has two left.

Ababu gets a dot ball, then Bangladesh work two singles. Another two dots and a single to finish. No boundaries means the pressure is maintained.

7/129 and for the first time, the required run rate reaches 4.

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Over 35:

Tikolo now into the attack. Great start by him mixing it up and using everything he knows to get past the batsman. Mortaza survives, but the pressure builds with another maiden.

Run rate required now 3.93

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Over 34:

Odoyo into his 9th. Has Mortaza in trouble, but again off a no-ball. Mortaza gets the 4th ball away for a single. Every run a battle for both sides now. Kenya desperately trying for that next wicket. Only the 2 from the over, Bangladesh 7/126 need another 59 runs. Odoyo has one over remaining, can he get that elusive 5 for he so deserves?

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Over 33:

Ongondo maintains his line and length. Mortaza more interested in keeping the ball out than scoring. Ongondo unlucky to concede an inside edge off the last ball. could easily have ben a wicket. Only 1 from the over, great support bowling to Odoyo.

7/124. Run rate required: 3.58

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Over 32:

ODOYO! ODOYO! ODOYO! Anyone in Nairobi not chanting that at the moment is a baboon. He's back in the attack and has taken another wicket with his third ball. Rafique out for a duck LBW to one that stays low. What a man, what a match!

Mortaza gets two off his first delivery courtesy of a fumble in the field, then a single to put Mashud on strike. Odoyo finishes the over with a dot ball.

7/123. Required run rate: 3.44

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Over 31:

Ongondo back in to replace Ababu. Good start, with 3 dot balls. Peter getting good length and a nice angle back towards the stumps. Obuya needs to be on his toes behind the wicket, the ball is really starting to vary in how much carry there is. Ongondo completes a maiden. Great bowling from him, but he would no doubt swap it for a couple of runs and a wicket.

Still 6/120.

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I lost an over back at over 23, so the last one should have been over number 30. Pole sana! Carried away by the excitement of it all.

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Over 29:

Odhiambo into his 9th over. Three dot balls to Mashud, then a single brings Mohammad Rafique on strike. No further runs. Odhiambo keeping the lenght well

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Over 28:

Incredibly tense stuff. That was a vital wicket for Kenya as Ahmed had really steped up his run rate. Kenya now have 2 batsmen at the crease who are yet to score.

Ababu continues. Two dot balls continue to frustrate Mashud, then the third finds the centre of the bat and beats a diving Hitesh Modi at mid on for 4. I'd like to see Tikolo in to the attack at this end to keep the lid on with Odhiambo, Ongondo and Odoyo rotated at the other end to go after the wickets. Mashud follows up with another drive, this time for 3. 7 off the over.

6/119. Require 3.14 off the remaining 21 overs.

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Over 27:

Odhiambo doing battle with Ahmed. Dot ball to start, but the second goes for 4 through covers. Odhiambo responds with 2 more dot balls. Ahmed keeps finding the fielders. YEEEEES GOTTIM!!!

Ahmed tries to pull a short pitched delivery straight at Tikolo who is fieldeing at square leg. This time the captainholds on and Kenya have their 6th, Odhiambo his second. C'MON!

6/112

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Over 26:

Two dot balls, then another contraversial decision. A wide ball by Ababu is followed and there seems to be a noise. Umpire gives a wide. Would like to see what snikometer would have made of that. Ababu can rightly feel to be very unlucky this spell - he should by rights be 3 for. Ahmed then gets a single, but Ababu prevents Mashud from geting off the blocks. He is runless now from 17 balls faced. Good effort from Kenya - just need to capitalise with his wicket now.

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Over 25:

Odhiambo lokking for that elusive second wicket. Run rate not a factor anymore, Kenya have to take wickets if they are to win this match. Great bowling from Odhiambo should have got him a maiden, but spilt by a wide. Again, Mishra at cover doing fantastically well with a sliding stop.

5/106. Require 3.25 an over

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Over 24:

Ababu continues, starting with two dot balls. Ahmed then plays a wonderful shot over long on off the next ball for 6 - what a way to bring up Bangladesh's 100. He follows it up with a four two balls later. Nuts. After all that good work too. Kenya need his wicket really badly. Ababu will be unhappy with that over - 10 from it and Ahmed has really stepped up a gear.

5/105

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Over 23:

Odhiambo back into the attack as Odoyo takes a well earned rest. Not a good start, flicked for 4 by Aftab Ahmed off the first ball. Two dot balls follow, then 3 more from Ahmed. Kenya need to get his wicket as he is now looking to get stuck in after a slow start. Odhiambo finishes well to Mashud for two dot balls, but 7 is an expensive over in this context.

5/95

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Over 23:

Maiden from Ababu. Great bowling to the new batsman, beats him at least twice, but again unlucky not to get the result. Riveting stuff in Nairobi.

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Over 22:

Odoyo continues, searching for that vital wicket that will get us into the tail. Some good fielding again by Mishra - nice to see that. Only 2 runs off the 5th ball of the over. Ababu gets to have a crack at the new batsman who is yet to face a ball.

5/88

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Over 21:

A good recovery from Ababu, only one run off the last ball. A good line and lenght maintained, this is a great foil for Odoyo steaming in at the other end. Well bowled.

Bangladesh 5/86

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Over 20:

Thomas Odoyo charges in trying to remove Reza who is looking troublesome. He is already on 15 and Kenya need to get his wicket before he really gets set. Thomas Odoyo is really doing his best for Kenya this match. Again, there is the no-ball, but he more than makes up for it with his third wicket of the day. Again, it is an important one, Reza frustrated by the 5 dot balls drives through covers. It looked like a four all the way, but Mishra diving down takes an absolute blinder. YOUUUU BEEAUUTY!!!!!

Bangladesh 5/85. 100 runs exactly required at 3.33, but now only 5 wickets in hand. Tense stuff indeed. Khaled Mashud the new man for Bangladesh.

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Over 19:

Ababu deserves a wicket. Induces the edge first ball, but it fails to carry to gully. Great effort to try for the catch, but too short. Batsmen take the run. More sloppy fielding results in another run. Not surprisingly, Kennedy Obuya is furious. Harper is going to need to have words with a coupld of the boys about keeping up the intensity out there. Fifth ball of the over is a real pie - short and down leg. Reza accepts the offering and takes the boundary. 7 off Ababu's over, maybe time for Tikolo to take over from him for a spell and put the squeezers on.

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Over 18:

Odoyo steaming in looking for that 3rd wicket. Another no ball midway through the over is compounded by a dopey fielding effort at square leg. Harper will be furious about that. Including the no-ball, only three off the over.

4/77.

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Over 17:

Ababu desperately unlucky not to get a wicket. Reza, the new batsman gets an edge, but Obuya standing up is not able to get glove to it properly and it runs away for four. Reza adds insult to injury by getting a second 4 off the last ball of the over. A big over for Bangladesh.

4/74 and starting to slip away again. Finely balanced match. Kenya still needing that next wicket to keep a lid on things.

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Over 16:

Again, a good start with 2 dot balls ruined by a no-ball. The batsman also scores a run off this. Wasteful. Odoyo comes back superbly to take another wicket off the last ball of the over. Again, it is Kennedy Obuya who takes an excellent catch after Ahmed has skied one outside off. Great work by the keeper, and certainly something for the selectors to consider when looking at his position in the team. He may be struggling for form with the bat, but he is doing great work with the gloves. A massive wicket for Kenya removing a potentially very dangerous player. We are definitely in this match now so long as we can keep the pressure on.

Bangladesh still marginally favoured at 4/65, but they must be feeling the jitters, and Odoyo will certainly have his tail up at the moment.

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Over 15:

Josephat Ababu comes into the attack. With each of the other bowlers already with a wicket to their names, Kenya need Ababu to follow suit. Not a bad start by him only conceding 2 runs. Interesting to see Obuya up for Asraful.

Bangladesh 3/62. Require 3.51 an over. Kenya have done well so far to keep this from falling too far since the start of the innings.

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Over 14:

Odoyo comes back into the attack, and his first ball is given the treatment, Hasan cutting away for 4. Odoyo responds with two dot balls, then Hasan glances fine for 2. Odoyo gets the last laugh though as Hasan edges it through for Kennedy Obuya to take the catch. Kenya refusing to give up, and the third wicket will put Bangladesh under pressure. Obuya may have had an ordinary time with the bat recently, but that was a great catch. A big wicket for Kenya as Hasan was beginning to look as though he was going to take the match away from us. A definite hope now. Bangladesh 3/56. Mohamed Asraful however comes to the crease and belts his first ball for 4. Not a good sign.

Bangladesh 3/60, run rate required 3.47

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Over 13:

Was a bad over for Kenya in the first innings and is again this time. Odhiambo goes for 2, then a four and is also warned about his follow through. Maybe time to bring on a change of bowler. 7 off the over all up leaving Bangladesh on 2/50

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Over 12:

Good bowling by Peter Ongondo. Three dot balls draw the shot on the fourth and he gets an easy carry to slip where the normally dependable Tikolo puts down a sitter. Not good. The sixth ball beats Ahmed and hits the pads, but again a no-ball. This is an area we really need to work on in the nets. Free runs in a tight run chase are going to cost us big time. A shame as otherwise this would have been a maiden over. Should have been a wicket maiden. I only hope Ahmed doesn'r make us pay.

2/43. Required run rate 3.73

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Over 11:

Kenya take the second power play.

Odhiambo is missed by ahmed off the first delivery, but they take a leg bye. His third is short and wide and justifiably punished. Nafees capitalising on maybe a lack of experience to get 4. Another wicket really badly needed by Kenya, and two balls later, Odhiambo gets his first as onother wide delivery is edged to Collins Obuya who takes his second catch. This time, it is a good one above his head. Kenya fighting back and desperately trying to make a match of this.

2/42. Run rate required 3.66

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Over 10:

Two nice balls from Peter to start the over. Aftab beats himself on the third ball, but gets off strike with a single from the fourth. Again only 1 from the over, good pressure from Kenya.

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Over 9:

A much better effort from Odhiambo, only 1 run off the third ball of the over, otherwise dot balls.

1/36

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Over 8:

Two dot balls to start the over, though Nafees got bat on both. Two singles follow, the second cut off by a diving gully, but the fielder unable to gather. Harper will no doubt have done some serious work on the Kenyan fielding. It has always been a strong point for both him and Kenya, so should be able to keep it tight. Nafees takes a four off the last ball of the over. Six from it, Bangladesh beginning to look dangerous.

1/35, run rate required down to 3.57

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Over 7:

Odhiambo again giving away extras. He needs to learn to tighten up his line in situations where we are defending small totals. Comes back well with a couple that beat the batsman though. Nafees gets a run off the fourth legal ball. Ahmed gets the first boundary of the Bangladesh innings with a great drive off the fifth ball, and Odhiambo gives away yet another wide. Extras are going to outscore Odoyo at this rate!

Bangladesh 1/29. 9 off that over undoes a lot of the good work so far. Kenya need to tighten up on those extras. Bangladesh have already faced at least one and a half, if not two extra overs.

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Over 6:

A dot ball, then the breakthrough that Kenya so badly need courtesy of none other than Peter Ongondo. Saleh cuts at one slightly on the short side and Collins Obuya takes the catch on the second attempt. You Beauty! Aftab Ahmed the new man in gets his second ball away for a single. Bangladesh rotate the strike, then Ongondo oversteps with what should have been the last ball. Finishes with a dot. Bangladesh 1/20, run rate required 3.75. A good over from Kenya's point of view, now they need to build on that success and keep the pressure on.

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Over 5:

Nehemiah Odhiambo early into the attack. Odoyo maybe feeling the effects of his effort with the bat. Not a good start by the youngster - 3 wides before a legal ball is bowled in the over. He will need to do better than that. He does better with the next two balls, the second not far off the stumps either. Third ball strays onto the pads and Nafees gets 2. Well finished in the end the over, no further runs comng from it. Bangladesh on target at the moment on 0/17. Need only 3.73 an over to take them home. Kenya need to keep that rate down and take wickets as well.

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Over 4:

Only a single and a wide from Peter Ongondo. Again, nearly tempted Saleh into an edge off hte last ball. Some encouraging signs for the bowlers with the new ball. Watchful play by Bangladesh.

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Over 3:

A better one from Odoyo, anly 2 off it, and unlucky not to get an edge off a play and miss. Bangladesh end on 0/10 still looking comfortable.

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Over 2:

Ongondo opens at the other end. Again, a bye a single and a 2 give Bangladesh 4 off the over. A solid start from them. An early wicket really needed by the hosts.

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Odoyo opens the bowling for Kenya. Two no-balls to start is not really what Kenya require. Only two singles off the legal ball though, but this match is going to be about wickets for Kenya.

Bangladesh end the first over 0/4

Kenya Bat First In 2nd ODI

Over 47:

Thomas Odoyo determined that Kenya are going to be able to bowl to a total drives the first ball of Hasan's over right over the Stadium roof at long on for six. Ababu is nearly run out at the bowlers end next ball, but the tv umpire has him safe. It is all over two balls later however as Odoyo gives Hasan the charge, but too early and the bowler fires in a wide one to leave him stranded and he is easily stumped. The end of a fine innings from the all-rounder and one that at least means Kenya have a total to defend. 184 is still a good 60 runs too few in my opinion for the Gymkhana wicket, but after being 6/45 is really a very good recovery indeed. Thomas Odoyo did a fine job for his 84. He hit 7 fours and 4 sixes in making a game of it, but could not have done it had he not recieved support from the other batsmen down the bottom of the order. Mishra, Odhiambo, Ongondo and even Ababu at the end all played their part. Mishra will be unhappy with the method of his dismissal, as it was a perfect chance for him to play an innings of substance. Kenya have shown this year that we have several players able to produce the goods on any given day. Roger Harper's task is to try and ensure it is not only one or two of them that fire each time, but several. Only then will we start winning matches against the better teams out there. A quick note on Maurice Ouma as well. He played well for his 23, and did enough to warrant his re-selection. Just a shame that he also was out to a silly shot. Experience will help him in this and at least the single figure monkey is off his back.

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Kenya need to bowl very well in the opening few overs of the Bangladesh innings. A victory from here is unlikely, but Odoyo had Bangladesh rattled with his batting, and hopefully this will carry through to the rest of the bowlers. A man-of-the-match award is there for the taking for one of them if they do the required. All the best to them in their effort to earn it.

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Over 46:

Kenya get a little bit of luck when a throw to the bowler after they run one is fumbled and Odoyo is able to come back for the second. He then makes Mortaza pay the next ball, with a driven six followed by consecutice fours. Crowd are enjoying this finally. Morataza manages a dot bal, but Odoyo retains strike with a single off the last from an overthrow. Great over for him, he moves to 79, Kenya are now past yesterday's score on 9/178.

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Over 45:

Odoyo bravely takes a single off the first ball leaving Ababu to face the rest of the over. He manages to keep Hasan out and Kenya remain on 9/161. Yesterday, 168 proved not enough, and it is likely to be the same story again today. Still, Odoyo should be commended for his rescue effort and Odhiambo and Ongondo also for the part they played in the partnerships.

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Over 44:

Mortaza comes back into the attack and starts with a huge wide. Odoyo defends the first legal delivery then cuts the second for four. The batsmen run singles off the next three deliveries, Ongondo having a lovely on drive cut off by long on. It all ends in tears for Kenya however as Ongondo is out off the final ball, a thick edge of a slash well taken in the gully. Ongondo may only have made 13, but it was a vital partnership with Odoyo and has at least given Kenya something to bowl at. Josephat Ababu is Kenya's last man to come to the crease.

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Over 43:

Hasan bowling well to contain the batsmen. They exchange the strike off the first 2 balls to bring up the 150 for Kenya, but only one other run comes from the over. Kenya 8/152 with 7 overs to go.

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Over 42:

Razzak keeps Ongondo quiet for the first two balls before the Kenyan bowler works him away for a single. Odoyo, whose fifty came from 76 balls, gets a second run when his single to fine leg is fumbled. Well run by the batsmen. He retains strike with a single from the 5th ball.

Kenya 8/149, a good comeback considering where we were earlier.

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Over 41:

Ongondo survives an LBW appeal to give Odoyo the strike off a leg bye from the first ball. Two balls later and Odoyo takes a single to give him a really well earned and much needed 50, not only for Kenya in this match, but for him personally too. A great effort Thomas! Ongondo gets a single off the next ball to rotate strike.

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Over 40:

Razzak able to keep Thomas from getting his fifty off him. Well bowled, Odoyo only able to get 2 runs off the last ball.

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Over 39:

A goos battle between Hasan and Odoyo. The tv umpire comes to Thomas's aid with the first ball adjudged to have hit the rope despite an attempted save from the fielder off a sweep. Hasan bounces back with 3 dot balls and nearly gets a reward with the 5th ball that induces an edge. It goes past the keeper for 4 however and Kenya breath again. Odoyo pushes a single off the last ball to retain strike. He moves onto 47. Kenya 8/140

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Over 38:

Bangladesh persist with Razak who possible rattled from Odoyo's six in his last over starts with a big wide. Thomas mistimes his shot off the second, and Kenya only get a single. Peter Ongondo faces a couple of dot balls before, you guessed it, working the ball to square leg for 2. Razzak finishes with a dot ball, 4 off the over.

Kenya 8/131

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Over 37:

A tight one from Hasan, but Odoyo is able to get a single and Ongondo another 2, well run off the fifth ball. Kenya 8/127

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Over 36:

Odoyo gets no run off the first ball of Rafique's 6th over, but comes up with another wonderful driven six over the bowlers head the next ball. Putting trust in Ongondo, he takes a single off the 3rd ball. Ongondo repays this by working the fifth ball down to fine leg for 2. A good over from Kenya.

8/124

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Over 35:

Saqibul Hasan introduced to the attack and starts with a wide. Comes back well though, and Kenya only able to milk a couple of singles off the rest of his first over. Kenya 8/115

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Over 34:

Ongongo being put under the hammer, survives a big LBW appeal and gets a single off the 5th ball of the over. Odoyo decides that we needs some more runs and plays a wonderful drive for six. Fantastic shot and Kenya move to 8/112

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Over 33:

Odoyo gets off strike when the third ball comes off his pad for a leg bye. Bangladesh really attacking Ongondo trying to wrap up the Kenyan innings. He manages a single of the fifth ball.

8/105

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Over 32:

Odoyo is sent back off the first ball, but takes one off the second, flicking the ball down to fine leg. Ongondo stays put the rest of the over.

8/103

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Over 31:

Odhiambo on strike, but he is kept down by Raffique who gets his reward from the fifth ball with yet another LBW decision. Odhiambo changed his mind after starting a slog sweep and pays the price, out for 19 off 26. No disgrace his efforts as at least he put runs on the board. It may not have been exactly what Kenya neede, but at least he gave the scorers some trouble, and to be fair should not have had to be batting so early. Peter Ongondo Kenya's second last batsman comes to the crease and survives the final ball of the over, a wicket maiden.

8/102

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Over 30:

Odoyo takes a single from the second ball with an on drive. Odhiambo thumps the next ball for what looks like the first six of the innings, but the tv umpire rules it a four. Good use of the feet there by the youngster. Next ball, he makes sure sending the ball sailing over the ropes backward of square. Great shot. A single off the fifth ball, then a dot from the last complete Kenya's best over and take us past the 100 mark, finally something for the Kenyan fans to cheers about. Kenya 7/102

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Over 29:

Odhiambo living dangerously going the slog-sweep route. He gets 2 from it off the second ball, but it went high. A single off a sweep shot, again hit hard from the third ball. Odoyo is denied a 4 by good fielding by Saleh off the last ball, but takes a single to retain strike. He move on to 20, Kenya to 7/90.

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Over 28:

Rafique keeps Odoyo completely tied down - maiden over. Only one attemp at a scoring shot, and that went straight to a fielder.

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Over 27:

Razzak continues, and Odoyo pushes a single past cover off the second ball. A couple more singles come off the rest of the over, only 3 from it, but importantly no real scares either.

7/86

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Over 26:

Mohammad Rafique into the attack. Odoyo pushes a single to lon-on off the second ball. Odhiambo unable to get anything from the rest of the over. Odoyo sends him back off the last ball.

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Over 25:

Kenya somehow managing to survive to the half-way mark of the innings. Odhiambo scampers a quick single off the third ball, a referal to the third umpire after a direct hit deeming him safe. Razzak keeps Odoyo pinned down for the rest of the over, only a single off the last ball retaining strike.

7/82

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Over 24:

Odoyo crashes a half volley to the boundary to start Mortaza's 7th over. He then takes a quick single off the second putting trust in the young tail ender. Odhiambo looks like he is going to go down swinging. Nearly out a couple of times, but at least gets 3 off the last ball. It is not really the approach Kenya need, but he is keeping to his natural game which is fair enough. Kenya 7/80. If the bowlers want something to bowl at, it is entirely up to them now.

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Over 23:

Odoyo survives an LBW appeal off the first ball, and gets a single a couple later. Mishra is not so lucky given out LBW for 17 after he misses a slog sweep. Poor shot selection, and unneccessary when what Kenya need is to try and bat out the innings. 7/72 at the end of the over. Very poor performance from Kenya with the bat. Odhiambo is the new batsman.

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Over 22:

Mortaza continues. Tanmay plays and misses at the first, but takes a single off the second. Odoyo rotates strike with a single. Dot balls for the rest of the over as Mortaza tests Mishra with a couple short of a length. Kenya 6/70

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Over 21:

A couple of dot balls start the over before Thomas cuts the third for a single. Mishra fares better from the next one, but his pull to square leg is fielded before it reaches the boundary. Kenya run 3. The over ends as it began with two dot balls. 6/68.

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Over 20:

3 singles taken from this as the batsmen rotate the strike. Mishra not happy with missing out on runs seems to be practicing a few strokes.

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Over 19:

Rasel's last. Kenya decide to let him finish without any more wickets so it is a maiden. A great effort from him to finish with 4/22 off his 10. Kenya are going to rue those figures.

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Over 18:

Mishra does well in avoiding a bouncer first ball, then gives Odoyo the strike from the second ball. Thomas Odoyo pulls the next ball for 4 before they take two more singles from the penultimate two balls. A better over from Kenya, 6/61.

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Over 17:

Mishra escapes on the second ball as Asraful doesn't come in for the catch at mid-off. He takes Kenya past the 50 with a four off the 4th ball of over, the rest going for dot balls. Mishra again lucky as he edges the last ball to a vacant third slip.

6/54.

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Over 16:

Mishra takes 2 to third man off the second ball, then a single to the same area off the 4th. Odoyo remains runless as the over concludes. Kenya looking stretched to even make triple figures at the moment.

6/49.

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Over 15:

Odoyo joins Mishra who gets a single off the first ball of Rasel's over. Odoyo pinned down for the remaining balls.

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Over 14:

Both Modi, then Mishra get off the mark with singles off the first and third balls of the over. Kenya get another run through a wide off the 5th, but it is certainly Bangladesh's day as they get another LBW decision, this time against Modi who is beaten by a real pearler. Drinks are taken, and make mine a vodka. Triple strength to dull the pain. Kenya 6/45.

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Over 13:

This is looking like a short night for me. Obuya returns to the pavilion caught by square leg for 1. Rasel now has 4 wickets. If Kenya do not shore up now, the match will be all over by lunch! Mishra joins Modi at the crease. One day Kenya may beat Bangladesh again regularly, but right now, that day is looking a long way away.

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Over 12:

Disaster. Tikolo is out for a duck, LBW to Mortaza despite getting an inside edge onto the pad. Not only did the earlier batsmen get themselves out, but now a poor umpiring decision means Kenya are now in real strife. Bloody hell - the one thing we really did not need! Bangladesh well in the ascendancy now, but that is a huge decision to get wrong. Obuya comes to the crease and is immediately off the mark with a single. A wide and dot ball end a terrible over from Kenya's perspective. People may talk about bad decisions being swings and roundabouts, but the Kenyan team must feel like the kid that falls off the swing and lands crotch first on the roundabout.

4/42.

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Over 11:

Rasel keeps Ouma pinned down. Kenya need to make sure they don't lose another wicket here, we need to build a good partnership. A mis-field by Razzak allows Ouma 2 off the fourth ball. Lucky. Disaster strikes next ball. Ouma tries to belt a short one to the boundary, but only succeeds in top edging it to square leg. Kenya's third batsman back in the pavilion at a stage when we really should have been consolidating. A shame, as Ouma had been looking ok so far. His innings finishes on 26 off 31. A good start, just a shame that a loose shot prevents him going on from it. Hitesh Modi now joins Tikolo at the crease. Hopefully their experience will steady the ship.

Kenya 3/40.

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Over 10:

Ouma gets his third boundary off the second ball of the over with an edge down to fine leg. Kenya don't mind we'll take them any which way. Ouma then gives Tikolo the strike off the penultimate ball, again the runs coming on the on side. No run off the last ball, Kenya 2/38.

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Over 9:

Rasel continues and Kamande is able to work the first ball away on the leg side for a single. Ouma goes two better the next ball, again the runs coming on the leg side. Rasel then bowls a wide before coming back to give Jimmy real trouble with the next three balls, two short and wide of off. Runs going begging here with Kamande not comfortable with the angle from the left hander. Rasel gets his reward off the last ball with Kamande out nicking one through to the keeper. He is out for 3 off 19. His selection at three not bearing the fruis hoped for after his 68 against Canada. Kenya now 2/33. Tikolo should be in next, and will again be asked to produce a big innings to help Kenya to a competetive total.

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Over 8:

Ouma pushes an easy single off the first ball. He is doing well to rotate the strike, he just needs his partner to come to the party as well. Kamande however defends the first two balls, being soundly beaten by the second. Finally, he gets his second run. Ouma is so surprised there is a bit of a mix up in the running, but all safe. A dot ball finishes the over, Kenya 1/28.

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Over 7:

Ouma drives infront of square leg for four off the first ball. Rasel responds with four dot balls. Ouma gets some bat on ball though, but not the runs. A leg bye off the final ball keeps Ouma on strike. He is now on 15 from 18. Kamande is 1 from 10. Kenya 1/26.

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Over 6:

Reza bowls a dot ball to start, then gets Ouma to edge the second, but it is safe and Kenya get a run. Kamande still only with the 1 run plays defensively leaving 2 and defending another as no further runs are taken. Getting his eye in is fine, but he cannot afford another innings like yesterdays. He needs to start getting some runs himself so as to keep the presure off his partner and the batsmen to follow. Kenya 1/21 and the run rate has dropped to 3.5.

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Over 5:

Kamande looking a little shaky. Two dot balls before he finally gets off the mark with a Kijabe Glide down to fine leg. Ouma immediately returns him to strike with an easy single. This is better from the opener, lets hope he can maintain his composure. Kamande defends the rest of the over, so only the 2 runs. Kenya 1/20 after 5.

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Over 4:
This will be a real test for Kamande and Ouma, both having glaringly failed in the first innings. Ouma hits his first boundary of the day off the third ball, capitalising on a half volley down leg. He then follows it up with a 2 the next ball, then repeats the shot through cover for another pair the next ball. 8 off the over, a good one for Kenya and one that will help raise Ouma's confidence. Kenya 1/18. Run rate 4.5.
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Over 3:
Ouma finally gets off the mark in the third over having watched Otieno face the first two. The change of striker however brings the downfall of the wicketkeeper adjudged LBW to Syed Rasel. Kenya's trouble at the top of the order continues. Rasel finishes with a dot ball to leave Kenya 1/10 after 3. A sad start for Kenya and Otieno in particular. Jimmy Kamande is the next man in.
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Steve Tikolo has won the toss and Kenya have elected to bat in the second ODI being played at Nairobi Gymkhana. It is only the third over, but so far 8 runs on the board, including a four from Kennedy Otieno. The selectors have stayed with the same opening pair from the first game, so lets hope they are able to come up with something more today.