TheSportsCampus

Cricket's no.1 superpower, Australia, extended their unbeaten run in World Cup matches to 33 games on Sunday night as they laboured to a tougher than expected 60-run win over minnows Kenya. Batting first, half-centuries from Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and the returning Michael Hussey allowed Australia to post a sufficient 324 runs. Kenya were never really in the hunt, but did a good job of batting out 50 overs against a rusty Australian pace-attack that could restrict them to just 264 for the loss of 6 wickets. Veteran allrounder Collins Obuya walked away with the Man of the Match award for his exceptional unbeaten innings of 98, and easily deserved those two further runs that would have helped him to a memorable landmark. Tanmay Mishra too chipped in with a handy 72.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat first on a flat deck and decided to give their batsmen a chance to find some form heading into the business stage of the competition. There was one major change to the champions' line-up with Michael Hussey replacing brother David. Shane Watson and Brad Haddin looked to dominate the bowling straight away but Watson's charge was halted at 21 by a Nehemiah Odhiambo delivery that rose more than usual and took the edge through to the keeper. Ricky Ponting came to the middle and needed to get some runs under his belt. The run rate fell sharply after Watson’s departure as Haddin and Ponting tried to settle in.

They were going at about 5 runs an over in the first two powerplays but didn’t lose any more wickets. Haddin couldn’t capitalize on his start and fell after scoring 65 when he tried to clear the boundary. Ponting followed soon after as he was adjudged leg before wicket when on 36. Cameron White departed after scoring just 2 runs and Australia were in bit of a bother after losing 3 wickets for 16 runs. Michael Hussey walked in at 143/4, joining vice captain Michael Clarke, who was slowly building an innings. The right-hand left-hand pair looked very comfortable together and were soon busy in picking up the ones and twos.

Australia reached 200 in the 36^th over and seemed to be heading for a big total. They took the batting powerplay at the start of the 41^st over and started to accelerate. Hussey fell for the cause with a handy 54 (43balls) to his name, trying to clear the boundary. Michael Clarke also fell, 7 runs short of his 100, as he hit the ball straight to long on off Odhiambo, who picked up his third wicket of the innings. Australia finished with 324/6 more than enough given Kenya's track record in the tournament thus far.

Kenya started with aggression from Alex Obanda, who was given a chance in preference to Seren Waters, as he hit Shaun Tait for a six in the second over. But Brett Lee was able to strike from the other end as Maurice Ouma went for a drive but managed just an edge to Haddin. Obanda’s aggressive outlook continued as he hit Tait for another six, this time over long on. Tait though had the last laugh as Obanda missed a fast full toss, and was left walking back with just 14 to his name. The brothers, Collins and David Obuya were in the middle and saw off the new ball. David hit a couple of boundaries but got run out in the tenth over following a terrible mix up.

Tanmay Mishra, the half centurion from Kenya's previous game, joined Collins Obuya looking to put together a partnership. Mishra and Obuya were solid and picked up runs freely to keep the scoreboard ticking along. They took Kenya past 100 in the 21^st over and it appeared briefly that they were ready to put up a fight against this Australian attack. Both batsmen played the spinners very well. Mishra was scoring runs at good pace and reached his 50 off 63 balls. Obuya was a bit slow but gathered confidence. The Australians didn’t look to convincing in the field and were in no rush to break the partnership. Kenya though took too long to compile their third fifty as the hits to fence dried up as the field spread. They reached 150 in the 34^th over and though it was a tough ask to chase down the target, Kenya had to restore some pride.

Mishra was unfortunately run out when he was on 72 and was visibly gutted at having missed out on getting a big score. Obuya reached his half century after Mishra’s departure. Thomas Odoyo played very well and Obuya too started playing his strokes. The batting powerplay was taken by Kenya and Australia leaked a few runs. Obuya smashed a six and a four off Watson and was slowly approaching a century. Tait finally got the wicket of Odoyo with a full delivery as the stump flew out of the ground. Obuya was on 87 at that time, but was running out of overs to get to a personal landmark, with the run chase in itself out of the realm of reality.

Obuya was on 96 heading into the final over, but only got on strike on the fourth delivery. The last three deliveries conceded just 2 runs and the veteran was left 2 runs shy of what would have been a well deserved century.

He did get the Man of the Match award though for his valiant effort and Kenya had done plenty to restore some pride by scoring 264 runs against a rusty Australian attack. The win took Australia up to 7 points and third place in the table, with a game in hand over both the teams above them. On their present run of form, it would take a brave man to predict they will not finish at the top of their Group.

Australia face Canada on Wednesday at the same venue and can go top with a win against them. Kenya will face fellow African nation Zimbabwe on the last day of the group matches, next Sunday, and would love to finish their campaign on a high.

Teams:

Australia: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jason Krejza, Shaun Tait

Kenya: Maurice Ouma (wk), Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, David Obuya, Tanmay Mishra, Thomas Odoyo, Jimmy Kamande (c), Nehemiah Odhiambo, James Ngoche, Elijah Otieno.

Mini Scorecard:

Australia 324/6 in 50 overs (6.48 runs per over)
M Clarke 93(80) N Odhiambo 3-57
B Haddin 65(79) J Kamande 2-46

Kenya 264/6 in 50 overs (5.28 runs per over)
C Obuya 98*(129) S Tait 2-49
T Mishra 72(89) B Lee 1-26

File Photograph Copyright: Barry Zee