NAIROBI, Kenya, October 13 – Kenya’s miserable tour of Zimbabwe continued on Tuesday after they lost their second One Day International (ODI) by 86 runs.
Hiren Varaiya was at the forefront of a much improved bowling performance from the tourists with three wickets but it was not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from setting Kenya a target of 264 to tie the five match series.
Kenya’s batting which was woeful in the first ODI got off to a flier with Rakep Patel and top scorer David Obuya combining for 57 in the first 13 overs before it was broken up by Prosper Utseya.
Twenty one runs later, Utseya was at it again this time Alex Obanda the victim leaving Kenya at 78-2 before David was dispatched by Alexander Cremer.
Steve Tikolo’s 33 run partnership with Maurice Ouma steadied Kenya’s ship and took them to 115-4 before Cremer dismissed the former captain in the heralding another batting collapse.
Jimmy Kamande’s absence from the line up became conspicuous with the lack of resistance as Kenya’s innings progressed.
Nehemiah Odhiambo, Peter Ongondo and Elijah Otieno failed to put up any noteworthy numbers as they were sent back to the pavilion as quickly as they came on by Ray Price, Utseya and Cremer respectively.
Hamilton Masakadza for the second consecutive match delivered another body blow by putting up big numbers with 66 runs that included six fours and a six before falling victim to Varaiya.
The right hand batsman again combined with Mark Vermeulen for the match’s highest partnership with 77 runs that set the tone for another excellent batting performance by the hosts.
An extraordinary performance from Zimbabwe top scorer Stuart Matsikenyeri saw him hit 71 off 70 balls, a return which included two fours and two sixes.
The next ODI will take place on Thursday.
