Tikolo and Variaya Put Canada In A Spin

Kenya once again showed their superiority to Canada in the One Day form of the game as they defeated them by 5 wickets in the second ODI in Toronto to take the two match series 2-0.

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Canada won the toss, but once again Peter Ongondo struck early to remove Davidson (0) with the score on 2 and give Kenya the upper hand. Barnett and Bagai looked for a while as though they might get Canada to a decent total putting on a valuable, if slow 63 for the second wicket, but then Kenya's spinners started to work their magic. Barnett (35) was given run out by Kennedy Obuya, but it was off Variaya's bowling. Not to be put off by not being credited with the wicket, the 22-year old struck immediately after to remove Ifil for a duck. Canada suddenly looked shaky at 3-65. Six runs later, Kenya's other spinner, Steve Tikolo clean bowled Chumney (26) and followed it up by removing Qaiser Ali caught and bowled the next ball. He did not get his hat-trick, but did get a third not long after when he trapped Codrington (4) to have Canada in all sorts of trouble at 6-86. Dhaniram's run out took the score to 7-93, then it was Variaya's turn again. He mopped up the last three wickets for only 1 more run first removing Maxwell (caught Tikolo) for a duck, then a run later, Bagai (16) caught and bowled and finished off by doing the same to Osinde first ball. This leaves him sitting on a hat-trick when he faces Bangladesh in Nairobi next week. Tikolo finished with figures of 9 overs, 3/14, Variaya with 9.2 overs, 1 maiden, 4/25. He has now taken 7 wickets from his first two ODIs. A great start for the young man and one that should give him great confidence going in to the real test against Bangladesh in Nairobi.

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Kenya's reply started remarkably well in that both openers got a start. Kennedy Obuya (19) was first to go adjudged LBW to Dhaniram with the Kenya score almost at the half way mark. Brijal Patel (23) was then out without adding further to the score, a mistake that saw two new batsmen left at the crease. Not a good way to defend a position that by rights should have been given to someone else this match anyway. Two further quick wickets fell in the over as both Kamande and Modi fell for ducks. Kenya had slipped from 0/46 to 4/47 and Canada would have thought they were in with a sniff. That hope would soon be quashed by Steve Tikolo and Collins Obuya. Though the latter only added 19 before being bowled by Dhaniram to become Canada's 5th wicket with the score on 69, his presence with Tikolo (29*) was enough to steady the ship, and the captain and Mishra (6*) steered Kenya home with 17 overs remaining. It was not the most convincing of batting performances by Kenya, at one point, we looked like we were going to try to beat Canada's total of 5 ducks, but the important factor was that we won with both time and wickets to spare.

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Kenya can be very proud of the way they came back to beat Canada so convincingly in the ODIs. Especially as there were several players whose efforts proved the difference and we did not just rely on one or two individuals. Bangladesh will be a far different proposition, but we are playing them on our own turf, and this may make a difference. Kenya will still go into the next series as underdogs, but with the performances of this weekend fresh in the memory, we should at least go in with the confidence that we have rediscovered what it means to win matches. Several players are in good form, and with a little tweaking here and there from the selectors, an upset or two against the Tigers is perhaps not so far away. Congratulations to the team, and a safe trip home. To all those in Kenya, get down to the ground to support the team this coming weekend, the crowd could really help lift the team and they will need it if they are to keep up their winning ways.

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Kenya vs. Canada 2nd ODI 06/08/06

A Great Team Effort

Yesterday Kenya exacted some revenge on Canada by trouncing them in the first of two Ond Day Internationals. Captain Steve Tikolo won the toss and elected to bat, a brave move considering the tribulations of the opening pair up until now. True to form, it took Brijal Patel a painful 17 deliveries to make only 6 runs before falling to Osinde, caught Davison. Luckily his opening partner, Kennedy Obuya, was able to do better and put on a further 55 runs with Jimmy Kamande before he too made his way back to the pavilion. Though a great improvement from his pair in the Intercontinental Cup, Obuya still has a way to go to prove he is still the man for the job. Hopefully his time in the middle will have helped play him back into form and he will do even better tonight. Obuya's dismissal brought Steve Tikolo to the crease and assisted by Kamande, Kenya added a further 73 runs before the latter was caught.

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Jimmy Kamande (68) can really stand tall after his effort with the bat. Replacing Tony Suji at 3, he not only top scored in the Kenyan innings, but achieved a personal milestone by notching up his first ever ODI half century. His innings also spanned the two biggest partnerships for Kenya and was instrumental in setting the platform for the rest of the batsmen. His strike rate of 64% was not lightning quick, but under the circumstances, Kenya will not mind that. In the second partnership with Tikolo, Kenya were able to up the run rate thanks to the skipper's almost run-a-ball fifty: his second in consecutive innings for Kenya.

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Collins Obuya came in at five, but was unable to continue his form from the Intercontinental Cup and was out for 19 off 24. The next batsman in, Tanmay Mishra again showed why we should play him further up the batting order where he can be more effective. Coming in with only 10 overs to go he lasted until the very last over before becoming Thuraisingam's third victim, but not before he had crafted a brilliant 38 off 27 balls. It should be noted here that he did not need to take the agricultural approach and only 12 of his runs came off boundaries. While Kamande's innings set the platform for the innings, it was Mishra's efforts that took advantage of it. Who knows what he could score if he came in a little earlier on.

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Canada finished their fielding effort with a burst of cheap wickets at the death as Kenya's tail tried to go for quick runs. In the end however it didn't matter - what the Kenyan bowlers lacked with the bat, they more than made up for with the ball. Like the batting effort, there were several good performances rather than one standout, and this is fantastic to see from the team's perspective. Peter Ongondo kept intact his record of taking a wicket every game he has played for Kenya this year by taking the first two and should be more than satisfied with his 2/24 off 7. Thomas Odoyo has perhaps surprisingly been the least effective of Kenya's faster bowlers this tour, but removing Barnett, who had made the century in the Intercontinental Cup, was an important wicket. He finished with 1/33 off 6. Nehemiah Odhiambo continued his run of form taking the first ODI wicket of his career. He also finished with good figures: 1/19 off 5 including a maiden. Kenya's spin attack was a combination of our most experienced player and our newest cap and both performed admirally. Steve Tikolo backed up his 50 with the bat by taking 2/14 at an economy rate of 2.62, but it was debutante Hiren Variaya who was the pick of the bowlers with 3/24 off 9 overs. Real credit to him this tour as he has really stepped up and delivered.

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Thanks to the bowlers, Canada never really looked in the hunt after about the third wicket, and Kenya were able to close out the match with 12 overs still left to play. Not only did we get some of our own back, but did it emphatically too, winning by 108 runs. We may be out of contention for the Intercontinental Cup, but out ODI position is still safe for the moment. Today Canada will have another crack at us and we need to make sure that we beat them again. We have a really tough series at home against Bangladesh coming up, and need to go into that with two wins from two matches against the weaker opposition.

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I would expect a largely unchanged line up for the second match today with the one exception being Timothy Muange coming in for Brijal Patel. He was taken as a stand in opener, and it seems a waste not to use him when the position still needs someone to make it theirs. He can hardly do worse than Patel this tour, and who knows, it could be the catalyst he needs to make the step up. Maybe Mishra could come in higher up as well, though I hesitate at suggesting too many changes to what ended up as a winning combination. I would really love to see him get a fifty (or more) and he has a greater chance of doing this when he is not under pressure at the end of an innings.

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Congratulations again to the team for yesterday's win and let's hope they can give us more of the same today.

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Kenya vs. Canada 1st ODI 05/08/06 Full Scorecard (cricinfo)

Kenya vs. Canada 1st ODI: Canadian Reply

UPDATE 8 - 37.4 Overs

VICTORY!

Kenya have taken the last two Canadian wickets to bowl them out for 129. This is the closing that we need to see and caps off a great come back for Kenya on this tour. Not only have we won today's game, but done so with ease: More than 12 overs left in the game and a winning margin of 108 runs. All credit to the Kenyan bowlers for a great effort in keeping the pressure on with regular wickets. It has been a while, but Kenyan cricket fans can now afford a smile. However, despite it being a win, the job is only half done. We need to do it all again on Sunday and confirm our superiority in the One Day arena. For now though, Congratulations to Steve Tikolo and the team - I'm off to bed!

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UPDATE 7: 36 Overs:

Canada seem to have shut up shop here - only 11 runs off the last 6 overs, they seem to be trying to bat out the overs. Kenya need to step up the attack and bowl them out. Not only will it be a big psychological boost before tomorrow's game, but is also good practice for the Intercontinental Cup.

Canada 8/121. Required run rate: 8.36.

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UPDATE 6: - 30 Overs:

Canada still hanging on at 8/110. This is what I was talking about - Kenya must learn to finish off opponents. Still, Canada's run rate has now slipped to 3.66 and the required run rate is up to 6.4. There should be no doubt that Kenya will win from here, but we need to make sure all the same.

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UPDATE 5: - 26 Overs:

Kenya inching ever closer. Another wicket down, only two more to go for a well overdue win. Canada have nursed the score along to 97, but their run rate is now only 3.73 and with only 2 wickets in hand, they need another 141 runs at 5.88. Nearly a run-a-ball, and only 2 wickets to play with should leave Kenya with an easy win from here. This is where we need to be ruthless and shut out any further resistance. We are into the tail and need to enforce the victory by taking the next two wickets.

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UPDATE 4: - 20 Overs:

Kenya closing in on victory. Another 2 wickets down to leave Canada in real trouble at 7/80. Their run rate has dropped to 4 and for the first time, the required run rate rises above 5 to 5.26. Great stuff from Kenya - just what we needed after the loss in the Intercontinental Cup. Now we just need the next three wickets to finish it off. KENYA JUUUUUUUU!!!!

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UPDATE 3 - 16 Overs:

A HUGE two overs from Kenya. Canada get another 9 runs, but at the expense of 2 more wickets. 5/72 and things beginning to look up for Kenya. Canada's run rate is exactly 4.5, they need a further 166 at 4.88, but the important factor is those wickets. We should now really be able to stifle the runs and put the pressure on as they cannot afford to lose any more wickets, or we are into the tail. Hopefully, we can continue the procession back to the pavilion.

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UPDATE 2 - 14 overs.

4 good overs from Canada. They scored 19 runs at 4.75 - pretty much on the money in terms of run rate required. No more wickets for Kenya, so they are at 3/63. Still a very evenly balanced match. Kenya need to either get another wicket or two or really put the brakes on the run scoring. Preferably both.

Current run rate:4.5. Required run rate: 4.86 Wickets in hand: 7

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UPDATE 1 - 10 Overs:

Canada's run rate is still a fairly healthy 4.4 an over, but the good news continues for Kenya's bowlers who now have 3 wickets. This will definitely be putting the pressure on Canada, especially with Tikolo's miserly bowling still to come. Canada 3/44. Required run rate: 4.85. This is still creeping in the right direction for Kenya. Keep them wickets tumbling lads!

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After 6 overs, Canada are about on target with 28 runs on the board, at a run rate of 4.67. Good news for Kenya is that we have taken the early wicket we needed. Fingers crossed for another one soon.
Required run rate: 4.77

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Once again, updates are courtesy of Jonathan at Canadian Cricket. I'm filling in the gaps and putting in my two bits worth.

Canada come out after lunch needing 238 to win at 4.76. Kenya need a couple of early wickets to slow things down and put the pressure on.

Kenya vs. Canada 1st ODI: Kenyan Scorecard

No fine detail yet, but Kenya's scorecard from this morning:
K.Obuya.......................36.
B.Patel............................6.
J.Kamande..................68.
S.Tikolo.......................50.
C.Obuya.......................19.
T.Mishra.....................38.
T.Odoyo.........................2.
N.Odhiambo.................4.
P.Ondongo....................2.
H.Modi..........................1*
H.Varaiya..............DNB.
Extras..........................11.
Total..for.9..wkts......237
Run Rate:.................4.74.
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Bowling:
H.Osinde.........................9 overs 3/46.
U.Bhatti..........................10 overs 0.44.
S.Thuraisingam.............9 overs 4/35
J.Davison........................10 overs 1/39
K.Sandher.......................5 overs 0/31
G.Codrington..................5 overs 1/25
Q.Ali................................2 overs 0/12

Kenya Bat First

UPDATE 11: Close Of innings.

Well, we certainly threw our bats in the last four overs, but with mixed results. Canada picked up another 4 wickets to leave us with 9 lost for the innings, but in return, we managed to push the score along to 237. While it leaves Canada only requiring 4.76 an over to win, it is certainly a defendable total and gives our bowlers something to aim at. All in all a mixed bag for Kenya before lunch, but at least we can go on to win from here. Much will depend on whether we can take a couple of early wickets and restrict the run rate in the first ten overs. If we can, the pressure will be on and we have the experience to tighten the screws.

I will post more on the batting effort when I see the scorecard, but for now a quick 40 winks before the Canadian reply.

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UPDATE 10:

A wicket off the first ball of the 47th. Not what we needed at all, 5/207. Still time to put on the runs though. Wickets are annoying as they are dot balls and slow the rate down. Hopefully someone can get hold of a few and belt them over the fence.

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UPDATE 9 - 46 Overs:

4 overs left. Kenya have gone at 7 an over the last 5 to reach the 200 mark. We are now at 4/206 with 4 to go. We really need to swing the bat in these last few overs to see if we can score at around 10 an over or so. Wickets are in hand, so really time to launch now.

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UPDATE 8 - 41 Overs.

Not good - we have the wobbles. 2 runs from the over and a wicket. Kenya now 4/172. Hopefully it was the new batsman out, not the settled one!

We need to get those runs on the board without losing too many more wickets in the last 9 overs. Good fightback by the Canadian bowlers unfortunately.

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UPDATE 7 - 40 overs.

Kenya now 170, but we have lost a third wicket - I just hope it wasn't Tikolo. Going into the last 10 overs, we can still post a respectable target if the remaining batsmen play for the team and go after the bowling.

Current run rate: 4.25 would give us 212 runs

5 an over: 220

6 an over: 230

7 an over: 240

8 an over: 250

etc.

C'arn the boys!!

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UPDATE 6 - The Vortex Goat seems to have struck again. It has head butted J.W - no updates for a while. It is 2:30 am here, 'V' energy drink has run out. Brewing Chai will wake up the wife. Don't know the score. Don't Canadians know about Nyama Choma? Kill the goat - wapi chilli-sauce?

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UPDATE 5 - 32 Overs:

Another 23 runs from 4 overs (exactly the same as the last 4) takes Kenya to 2/132. 6 an over from here would give us 240, but if we can up the tempo a bit more, and we should be able to with wickets in hand, we could post 250 plus. Possible totals:

current run rate (4.1): 206

5 an over: 222

6 an over: 240

7 an over: 258

8 an over: 276

9 an over: 294

Let's hope is is one of the latter scores...

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UPDATE 4 - 28 overs.

A better couple of overs for Kenya now Tikolo is at the crease. 23 runs takes us past the 100 mark to 2/109, a run rate of 3.9. This is beginning to creep upwards, but a big couple of overs would really help. Still, the positive is that we still have wickets in hand, and there are the batsmen to come who are good at picking up the scoring rate in the final overs so long as they have a platform to build on. We really need a big score from one of the two in to act as anchor for the assault.

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UPDATE 3, 24 Overs:

Kenya have lost their second wicket with 86 runs on the board. Again, the run rate has slowed, though this is hardly a surprise when a wicket has fallen. This next partnership will be crucial for Kenya as it should bring Tikolo to the crease. He certainly has the ability to up the run rate, and Kenya need someone to do just that. 3.6 an over is just not going to cut it. News on the batsmen out is af follows: It seems the opening pair of Kennedy Obuya and Brijal Patel was retained, which may explain the slow run rate. Brijal Patel was first to go, caught Davison bowled Osinde for 6. Surely, Muange must be given his chance ahead of Patel next match. He can't do much worse, and may even do better. Kamande was the batsman in at 3, as expected replacing Tony Suji. I'm not sure of the last wicket, but at the 19 over mark, Kennedy was on 32, Jimmy on 25. Whoever is still in needs to work with Tikolo to get that scoreboard ticking over.

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UPDATE 2, 19 overs:

The good news is that 20 runs have come off the last 4 overs leaving Kenya at 1/68. This raises the run rate to 3.6 an over - still too low, but if they can continue to pick it up, we could be looking at a half decent score. 6 an over from here in would give us around 250 which would be defendable. It is really disappointing that neither cricinfo nor cricket Europe are covering this game live. After all, it is a full ODI, and going by the Intercontinental cup match could be a cracker of a game. Shame on them, and all credit to Jonathan for his efforts to keep us informed.

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UPDATE 1:
15 overs down now, and at least Kenya have lost no further wickets. Run rate has crept up to 3.2 per over with the score on 1/48. This is a very slow start from us and we are going to have to find the boundary a bit more if we are going to post a defendable total. Still not sure who the Kenyan batsmen are.

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Kenya won the toss and are batting first against Canada in the first One Day International currently underway in Toronto. So far, the only place with any scores seems to be Jonathan's Canadian Cricket blog which has Kenya starting safely (a great surprise) at 0/24 after 5 overs. We have however lost the first wicket to be 1/31 after 9 so the run rate has slowed a bit as well. 3 overslater he has us at 1/37, so slow progress being made, but at least no further wickets. No word on the batsmen in.

12 overs: Run rate 3.08.