Kiwi fast-bowlers skittled the African nation for 69 in 23.5 overs before knocking off the required runs in just eight overs at the Chidambaram Stadium for a winning start to their campaign.
“We didn’t expect that the game would get over so quickly,” said Vettori. “It was nice. We are happy with how we performed. But we don’t expect all other matches to be this easy.”
Bennett eyes permanent spot
Hamish Bennett grabbed four for 16 off five overs while Tim Southee and Jacob Oram chipped in with three wickets each. The emphatic nature of the win sets the Kiwis up nicely for their next match against defending champions Australia in Nagpur on February 25.
Bennett, a late replacement in the playing eleven for first-choice seamer Kyle Mills, hoped his performance would be taken into account by the selectors. “It feels pretty good,” said Bennett.
“Any chance you have to play for New Zealand you just have to try and take it and play it like it’s your last game. So to have the result I had today was good and hopefully I’ll keep pushing my selection for every game.”
Hapless Kenya issue SOS
Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande was left struggling for answers after their mauling at the hands of New Zealand nudged them closer to exile from cricket’s most exclusive club.
It was Kenya’s lowest World Cup total, 69, and the fifth worst in tournament history. Their capitulation came at the worst possible time for the sport’s second-tier nations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) determined to have a 10-nation World Cup, instead of the current 14 teams, in four years’ time.
“It’s for the ICC to decide to play 10 teams or 15,” said Kamande. “The disappointing thing is we get to play a Test team once around every two years or so. The more we play against these guys, the better you become.”
For World Cup news and updates log on to www.tribune.com.pk/cricket
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2011.
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