COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, February 15- Kenya lost its final International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup warm up match to Netherlands by two wickets on Tuesday.
Seren Waters (126 not out) and Rakep Patel (64) put together a fantastic 129 run partnership, to help Kenya to 263 for 5 in their innings.
Waters and Alex Obanda (11) started off the innings, however the latter fell in the 5th over to Berend Westdjik.
David Obuya (20) then came to the crease and set up a 53 partnership with young Waters, which was ended after Ryan ten Doeschate trapped him lbw in the 18th over.
Steve Tikolo fell soon after for 8 runs, and Maurice Ouma followed the Kenyan legend back to the pavilion after scoring 20 runs. Patel then came to the crease and scored a brisk 64 runs off 59 balls, to keep the Kenyan run rate climbing. He was dismissed in the final over by Pieter Seelaar.
The Dutch started off on the attack with Alexei Kervezee and Eric Szwarczynski putting together a brisk partnership of 67 runs in the first 10 overs.
Kervezee was bowled by pacer Nehemiah Odhiambo after hitting a quick 49 runs of 33 balls. Tom Cooper could only add 15 runs onto the board before he was run out in the 15th.
Ryan ten Doeschate came onto the crease and played a steady innings while wickets fell around him.
Borren was the first to go with Shem Ngoche taking his wicket followed by Zuiderent, Baresi and De Groot- all felled by Steve Tikolo, leaving the Dutch struggling on 130 for 7.
However a strong eighth wicket stand of 82 runs between ten Doeschate and Buurman brought the men in orange right back into the game. Kenya’s bowlers found it hard to dislodge these two from the crease, with the pacers being knocked all over the park.
Thomas Odoyo, who is normally so reliable with the ball was hit for 37 in 5 overs, whilst Elijah Otieno showed returns of 57 runs from 7 overs. Despite Steve Tikolo breaking the partnership in the 45th over, the Dutch had now found a new sense of confidence, and went on to win the game.
Ryan ten Doeschate finished with figures of 98 not out from 92 deliveries; whilst the pick of the Kenyan bowlers was Steve Tikolo who finished with 4 wickets for 39 runs in his 9 overs.
Next for the Kenyans will be their opening World Cup match against New Zealand on Sunday, February 20 in Chennai at 7am Kenyan time.
