Hosts Kenya made a stirring start to the World Cricket League at
Nairobi's Jaffreys Sports Club, dismissing Bermuda by ten wickets
in a one-sided contest on Monday.
According to ICC news release, the home boys won the toss and
opted to bowl, and managed to skittle out their opponents for 133
with more than 10 overs to spare, despite a creditable half-century
from opener Dean Minors.
The hosts then rattled off 137 with the minimum fuss, Maurice
Ouma doing his World Cup prospects no harm at all with an unbeaten
57 and man-of-the-match David Obuya notching 74.
The match was brought forward 24 hours in order to avoid a clash
with the Islamic holiday commemorating the Day of Ashura, giving
the Bermudans only three days in Africa to acclimatize.
Veteran Kenya captain Steve Tikolo's decision at the toss paid
dividends in the very first over when Thomas Odoyo trapped Clay
Smith leg before wicket with the third ball of the day.
Bermuda, the surprise packages of the ICC Trophy two years ago
when they finished fourth to qualify for this year's Cricket World
Cup, were soon two down when skipper Irving Romaine was caught at
cover by Tanmay Mishra off the bowling of Peter Ongondo after
scoring six.
The East Africans headed into the tournament in high spirits
after emerging victorious from the Mombasa tri-series earlier this
month, and again with the benefit of playing at home - a
considerable advantage given the location is 5,000 feet above sea
level.
With 82 ODIs already under their belts, Kenya started the
tournament as favourites to win and therefore clinch a place at the
inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa in
September.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2007)