Zimbabwe thump Kenya to end World Cup campaign

Posting a crushing 161-run win in last group match.

KOLKATA:

Zimbabwe batsmen Craig Ervine, Vusimuzi Sibanda and Tatenda Taibu cracked impressive half-centuries to set up their side’s crushing 161-run victory over hapless Kenya in their final World Cup match.

Zimbabwe showed their batting prowess to post 308 for six, their highest total of the tournament, with man-of-the-match Ervine (66), Sibanda (61) and Taibu (53) all making the most of a mediocre Kenyan attack. Kenya, who have looked out of their depth throughout the World Cup, losing all six of their matches, put in another disappointing batting performance, slumping to 147 all out in 36 overs at the Eden Gardens.

Nehemiah Odhiambo with an unbeaten 44, Rakep Patel (24) and opener Alex Obanda (23) were the mainstays of their batting. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price, who shared the new ball, off-spinner Greg Lamb and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer took two wickets apiece. The Zimbabwe spin battery put the Kenyan batsmen on the mat by picking up wickets regularly on a batting-friendly pitch.

Chigumbura satisfied

Both the African nations were already out of contention for a place in the quarter-finals, but Zimbabwe had the consolation of ending their World Cup campaign with two wins in six matches. Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbara expressed satisfaction at his team’s performance.

“Today we can take a lot of positives, especially with the bat. I am also happy with the bowling performance,” said Chigumbura.

Middle-order lifts Zimbabwe

Earlier, Zimbabwe were struggling at 36 for two after electing to bat, with both the openers being dismissed inside the first 10 overs, but Sibanda  steadied the innings with a 110-run stand for the third wicket with Taibu, who also completed 3,000 one-day runs during his half-century.

Sibanda hit one six and seven fours before being run out following a mix-up with Taibu, who hit seven fours before being trapped leg-before by Ngoche. Ervine and Chigumbura (38) then added 105 for the fifth wicket as 104 runs were plundered in the last 10 overs, with Prosper Utseya (19*) smashing three fours and a six in fast-bowler Elijah Otieno’s final over.

Left-handed Ervine, who cracked one six and nine fours in his 54-ball knock, survived a stumping chance on 15 off spinner James Ngoche as stand-in wicket-keeper Patel failed to collect the ball. Patel kept wicket for a brief spell in place of regular wicket-keeper David Obuya, who suffered an injury while trying to stop a wide delivery.

Veteran all-rounder Steve Tikolo, making his last World Cup appearance, led Kenya in the absence of Jimmy Kamande, who was ruled out of the match due to a knee injury. He was unhappy with Kenya’s poor batting display.

“We are disappointed. We wanted to put up a good performance but there were no partnerships,” said Tikolo.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2011.