Kenya Ladies Fall Again

The Ladies XI team fell to hosts Nairobi Nookers by 186 runs on Sunday in their third NPCA league match. Two new players who have never played in the league before and had stayed close to four years without playing cricket namely Noreen Muluhya and Faith Kingi made their debut. After winning the toss, Nookers inning started on a sour note when opener Belinda Maska bowled out the opening batsman for the first wicket with scores on 3. However a 66 runs stand for the second wicket put Nookers into control of the match but it was broken when Captain Emily Ruto bowled out the number two batsman.

Ruth Mwihaki took the third wicket with 33 runs added and added the fourth when Sarah Bhakita dived for a catch at point with scores on 126. Mwihaki continued with her good form with the ball whens he got the third with scores 144. A sixth wicket stand got the scores to 217 with number six batsman who had been dropped on the first ball of Mwihaki hitting all the bowlers all over the ground. He hit six sixes and five fours to score 74 before he was bowled by Okinyo. Okinyo got his second from the next ball before Ruto got her second with scores on 239. Okinyo and Maska got the last two wickets as the home team ended on 259 with eight overs to spare.

In reply, Okinyo got out on the fourth ball of the inning on four- caught at silly mid off, but opener, Bhakita resisted the fierce bowling of Nookers openers and stuck there for 12 overs- a big improvement from her since scoring her unbeaten century and a half in December last year. In the process she lost two other partners, Marie Aimee and Maska with score board showing 28 runs. Bhakita became the fourth wicket to fall when she was caught behind on eight. A fifth wicket stand of 45 runs between Mwihaki and Ruto moved the scores to 75 before the two fell in quick succession on 17 and 29 runs respectively. The two managed to bat with composure, selecting their shots well and making good decisions while running despite the tight bowling of Nookers spinners. This was also a good show by the two considering they have had a bad run since the league started. The inning ended with scores on 81with another new player Sylvia Wairimu remaining unbeaten. Despite the loss, the team showed much improved with in their inning as they were able to bat for 37 over, 14 overs better than their previous innings in the league.

Match report by Dun Okinyo