Scots comprehensively beaten

Kenya began their World Cup preparations with a crushing 190-run victory over a disappointing outfit in the opening game of the ICC Tri-Series in Mombasa. After the home side won the toss and piled up a huge 328-5, with half-centuries, Scotland folded for just 138 to the Kenyan seamers.

Despite losing Maurice Ouma early on for just 12, Kenya’s batting was anything but that usually associated with the second tier associate nations. Opener David Obuya shot a career best 73, ably supported by Ravindu Shah, playing in Kenyan colours for the first time in three years after a long spell sidelined through a knee injury. The right-hander, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished batsmen outside of the Test circuit, stole the limelight with 53-ball 54, awash with ten boundaries.

Although captain Steve Tikolo made only a single, the middle-order also delivered, led by promising youngster Tanmay Mishra, who struck a fluent 66, including a magnificent lofted cover-drive for six. Collins Obuya, unbeaten at the close of the innings on 68, shared stands of 109 with Mishra and then, in a stunning display of hitting, of 77 with Thomas Odoyo. Odoyo himself smashed four sixes in a 26-ball 45 to take Kenya to their second highest ever one-day international total. Only Paul Hoffman of the Scottish bowlers escaped the fury of the Kenyan batsmen, taking 2-45 from his ten overs.

In reply, no Scottish batsman settled in against the Kenyan attack, as Peter Ongondo and Nehemiah Odhiambo ran through the top order to bowl the tourists out in just 36.2 overs. Warwickshire batsman Dougie Brown offered token resistance with 22 as the rest of the batting lineup caved in around him. Ongondo and Odhiambo finished with 3-30 and 3-25 respectively, while the highly-rated young spinner Hiren Varaiya chipped in with two wickets.

Scotland have a chance to redeem themselves against an out-of-sorts Canadian side at the same venue tomorrow. Kenya’s victory also demoted Scotland to second place in the ICC’s Associate Rankings (of which Kenya is not a part), with Ireland taking their place at the top.

Kenya 328-5 (50 overs)
David Obuya 73, Ravindu Shah 54, Tanmay Mishra 66, Collins Obuya 68*, Thomas Odoyo 45*

Scotland 138 all out (36.2 overs)
Nehemiah Odhiambo 3-25, Peter Ongondo 3-30

Kenya won by 190 runs