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Kenya became the first non-test playing nation to qualify for the World-Cup semi-finals after they recorded a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Six match on Wednesday at Bloemfontien.
Kenyans truly outplayed their African neighborus Zimbabwe as the match turned in their favour early on, what with the Kenyan bowlers making the most of a slow pitch. Superb bowling and efficient fielding restricted the Zimbabwean total to 133.
The chase was quite easy for the Kenyans, though they lost three wickets initally, but Thomas Odoyo and Maurice Odumbe, played superbly to seal Kenya’s victory. Odoyo, unbeaten on 43 that included nine fours, was well supported by Odumbe with whom he shared an unbeaten partnership of 73. Odumbe knocked 38 off 20 balls that included eight fours and remained unbeaten, as they reached the victory target of 134 from 26 overs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled on a slow pitch and against a superb bowling from the Kenyans. Andy Flower was the only batsman to offer resistance and scored 63 that included five fours. Douglas Marillier (21) and Dion Ebrahim were the only other batsmen to score in double figures.
The rest of the squad offered no resistance, as Zimbabwe were all out for 133 off 44.1 overs, their lowest total against Kenya.
Opening bowler Martin Suji was awarded the Man of the Match for his spell of 3 for 19 off 8 overs.
The Kenyans who have been criticized for being in the Super Sixes only on the basis of the four-awarded points, wanted to prove their worth. They played with grit and determination and defeated Sri Lanka in the preliminary rounds. They gave tough competition to India, last Friday and again on Wednesday they played superbly defeating Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals.
Kenya will now meet the World Champions on Saturday but have already secured their place in the Semi-finals, wherein they will be playing against India at Durban.
Kenyans truly outplayed their African neighborus Zimbabwe as the match turned in their favour early on, what with the Kenyan bowlers making the most of a slow pitch. Superb bowling and efficient fielding restricted the Zimbabwean total to 133.
The chase was quite easy for the Kenyans, though they lost three wickets initally, but Thomas Odoyo and Maurice Odumbe, played superbly to seal Kenya’s victory. Odoyo, unbeaten on 43 that included nine fours, was well supported by Odumbe with whom he shared an unbeaten partnership of 73. Odumbe knocked 38 off 20 balls that included eight fours and remained unbeaten, as they reached the victory target of 134 from 26 overs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled on a slow pitch and against a superb bowling from the Kenyans. Andy Flower was the only batsman to offer resistance and scored 63 that included five fours. Douglas Marillier (21) and Dion Ebrahim were the only other batsmen to score in double figures.
The rest of the squad offered no resistance, as Zimbabwe were all out for 133 off 44.1 overs, their lowest total against Kenya.
Opening bowler Martin Suji was awarded the Man of the Match for his spell of 3 for 19 off 8 overs.
The Kenyans who have been criticized for being in the Super Sixes only on the basis of the four-awarded points, wanted to prove their worth. They played with grit and determination and defeated Sri Lanka in the preliminary rounds. They gave tough competition to India, last Friday and again on Wednesday they played superbly defeating Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals.
Kenya will now meet the World Champions on Saturday but have already secured their place in the Semi-finals, wherein they will be playing against India at Durban.
