Reigning champions Australia eased into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with an 60-run win against Group A makeweights Kenya at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
Kenya, chasing 325 for an unlikely win, were held to 264 for six for their fifth defeat in as many matches.
Opener Alex Obanda struck fast-bowler Shaun Tait for two superb sixes before he was bowled for 14 and soon, Kenya were 46 for three when a mix-up between the Obuya brothers saw David run out.
Collins Obuya (98 not out) and Tanmay Mishra (72) kept Australia at bay with career-best innings in a fourth-wicket stand of 115, although the pair’s run-rate never suggested an upset win.
Mishra made a 63-ball fifty featuring a six and six fours. It was his second successive half-century following his 51 against Canada.
The pair played spin duo of Steven Smith and Jason Krejza with relative ease, striking several boundaries off the two whose combined 14 wicketless overs cost 72 runs.
Mishra fell for 72 after a needless run out saw him beaten by Michael Clarke’s direct hit from backward point.
Collins Obuya completed his fifty in style with a huge six over long-off against Shane Watson and later pulled him high above square leg.
He needed three off the last ball to get a hundred but could only manage a single.
Ponting calls team rusty
“There was a bit of rust even with batting and the fielding,” said Australia captain Ricky Ponting whose team had not played a full match for over two weeks after last weekend’s clash with Sri Lanka was rained off.
“But full credit to Kenya, they fought really well. We tried a few different things and hopefully we’ve shaken off the rust ahead of the Canada game.”
Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande said, “At the end of the day we came out second, so it’s a little disappointing. The worst thing is we have only one more game left.”
Earlier Australia, now unbeaten in 33 matches at the World Cup dating back to 1999, lost three wickets for 16 runs to slump to 143 for four.
But a stand of 114 between vice-captain Clarke (93) and the returning Michael Hussey (54) helped Australia finish on 324 for six.
Clarke, on the ground where he made a hundred on Test debut against India in 2004, struck a six and seven fours during a composed 80-ball knock before he holed out off fast-bowler Nehemiah Odhiambo, who took three for 57. AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ