In this morning's post, I hailed Peter Ongondo as being the find of the year for Kenya as far as bowling is concerned. This evening, it is another player who deserves just as much, if not more praise. Tanmay Mishra is only 19 years old, but he batted like a veteran yesterday to take Kenya to within a whisker of a first innings lead. At he close of play on day 1, we were in all sorts of bother at 4-14. After a gallant fightback by our middle order and tail, we ended our innings only 4 runs short of Canada's 235. Credit is due also to Collins Obuya (43), Nehemiah Odhiambo (38) and Hitesh Modi (26) for the part they played in getting Kenya out of trouble, but it is Mishra who can look back on today as his coming of age. True, he has shown potential for Kenya before against Bangladesh and for the A team, but this is the one that matters: A big score when Kenya really needed it. Sadly, he ran out of partners before he could take Kenya into the lead and bring up a well deserved century. Surely he must now be moved up the batting order to where his strokeplay can be most effective. There is a well known saying: Come the hour, come the man. Today that hour was well and truly upon us, and a boy did indeed become a man. Whatever happens to Tanmay Mishra in the future for Kenya, his innings to keep Kenya in touch on day 2 against Canada will be remebered as the one where he made his mark.
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After the Kenyan innings, there was a brief shower of rain before the Canadians took to the field. Though they started well, a late strike by Thomas Odoyo keeps Kenya in the hunt. At the close, Canada were 1-52, some 56 runs ahead with 9 wickets in hand. Kenya can still win this match, but it will need a fantastic effort in the field tomorrow to restrict Canada to an attainable total. Good luck to the boys in achieving this - Kenya is behind you and willing you on!
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