3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v Kenya at Bulawayo, 15 Dec 2002 John Ward |
Pre-game:
Kenya innings: Zimbabwe innings: |
Zimbabwe took an early grip on the match thanks to much improved bowling from Blignaut and Douglas Hondo on an excellent batting pitch. They moved the ball little if at all, but maintained a good length and a teasing line just outside off stump and three batsmen fell for 23 runs. Ravindu Shah (0) was caught at the wicket in the first over, prodding outside the off stump, while Kennedy Obuya almost did a dance of frustration at the diagonal-bat drive outside off stump that cost him his wicket.
Brijal Patel announced his arrival with an exquisite cover drive for four off Blignaut, but had only 8 to his credit when he tried to drive Blignaut through the off side and was caught at second slip.
Kenya had to look to her two vintage batsmen, Steve Tikolo and Maurice Odumbe, to effect a recovery, and this they did to good effect. The bowlers' accuracy slipped a little, and Odumbe pulled Hondo for a remarkable low six in an over that cost 16 altogether. Tikolo's preference was for Murphy, 12 runs coming off his first over.
The partnership added 82 off 85 balls, bringing up the hundred in the 20th over, and was causing Zimbabwe some brow-furrowing when it came to an unfortunate end and again the balance of the match altered rapidly. Tikolo drove Murphy through the covers but a superb recovery and return by Blignaut found him short of his crease coming back for the second. He scored 34 off 51 balls and had looked well set to play a major innings.
In the next over Hitesh Modi (0) was another Taibu victim, this time caught off Henry Olonga, who bowled much more accurately than he has done so far this tour. In his next over Kenya's remaining hopes crumbled as Odumbe disappointingly gave it away, caught for 48 from a half-hearted attempt to clear the field. Kenya suddenly found themselves struggling again at 116 for six - and, with their rather weak tail exposed, at the point of no return.
Olonga took his wicket tally to five with another full-length delivery that trapped Martin Suji lbw for 4, following which Peter Ongondo (0) drove him tamely straight to mid-off. Last man Joseph Angara (2) was bamboozled and trapped lbw by Olonga's slower ball, a full toss, giving him figures of six for 28 and leaving David Obuya 8 not out. Zimbabwe will have only themselves to blame if they fail to win this match by a large margin.
Going into the final match of three, Zimbabwe lead Kenya one-nil and retain their unbeaten record going into this the 14th match between the two sides. Kenya's powerful batting has not fired so far on this tour, and if they can end the tour with an inspirational performance they can certainly put pressure on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe decided to rest Travis Friend, to accommodate Andy Blignaut, passed as fit again. Kenya replaced Tony Suji and Collins Obuya with David Obuya and Peter Ongondo.
The teams were as follows:
Zimbabwe: *Alistair Campbell, Mark Vermeulen, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Craig Wishart, Doug Marillier, Andy Blignaut, +Tatenda Taibu, Brian Murphy, Henry Olonga, Douglas Hondo.
Kenya: +Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, *Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe, Hitesh Modi, Brijal Patel, David Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Martin Suji, Peter Ongondo, Joseph Angara.
© CricInfo
Date-stamped : 15 Dec2002 - 15:55