Cricket365

Obanda Impresses As Kenya Beat Bermuda

Friday 26th October 2007

Teenage batsman Alex Obanda smashed a thrilling, unbeaten 79 as Kenya crushed Bermuda by eight wickets to win the first match of the sides' three-game one-day international series in Nairobi.

Veteran Kenya skipper Steve Tikolo won the toss and opted to make first use of the Gymkhana Club pitch, while his opposite number Irving Romaine became one of a host of early wickets.

Peter Ongondo was the main threat with the new ball, removing Romaine (two) as well as openers Jekon Edness (12) and Steven Outerbridge (two) to return three for 16.

The innings was heading for a poor total as batsmen continued to come and go for the tourists but Lionel Cann hit a fearless, counter-attacking 52 from just 32 deliveries as he joined Janeiro Tucker (18) to take his side beyond the 100 mark.

They eventually made 174 all out and when David Obuya fell for a duck with just one run of the reply on the board, lbw to Kevin Hurdle, a close encounter seemed possible.

But a 104-run stand between Maurice Ouma (46) and Obanda, who helped himself to nine fours and a six in his 82-ball knock, set the foundations for a simple win with more 21.4 overs remaining.