GOOD START: Kenya beat GSFC by seven wickets

Batsman Hong Kong's Shah Kinchit (right) walks out of the pitch after he was bowled out by Nicholas Ndandason during the 4th Round of International Cricket Council World Cricket League Championship at Nairobi Gymkana on Sunday, Nov 20, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The men’s national cricket team beat their hosts Gurajat State Fertilizer Corporation (GSFC) by seven wickets in a 50-overs match played yesterday in Baroda, India.

This was the first of their four buildup matches ahead of the crucial International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) clashes set for 11 and 13 this month at the Tribhuvan University Oval in Kirtipur, Nepal.

Spinners Shem Ngoche and Pushpak Kerai dazzled with the ball while Alex Obanda smashed a half ton in a match that Kenya eased to the comfortable win. However, skipper Rakep Patet told Feverpith that despite the victory they still have to work harder in their remaining matches as well as improve on the aspects of the game for better performance against Nepal.

“It is a learning process for us because we have a big match coming and that is why we are here. We draw positives from this match and if we build up on that and also improve in areas that we did not excel I’m confident that with remaining matches the results of this trip will come to fruition in Nepal,” Rakep said on phone from India.

He was full of praise for the entire team saying that taking early wickets against their opponent destabilised and piled pressure on them while good batting gave them the victory. Going forward he urged the team to handle their responsibilities diligently citing that top order batsmen and spin bowlers play a bigger role and can change the fortunes of the team.

Obanda was superb for Kenya with the bat scoring 60 off 55 deliveries before GSFC skipper Abhijit Karambel got him caught after 15.6 overs. He had smashed three sixes and four boundaries at his time of elimination.

Chasing 167 everything was working in their favour as Obanda and Karan Kaul formed a formidable first stand wicket that put Kenya at 96 for the loss of one wicket. Rakep came in after Obanda but his partnership did not last as Kaul was trapped leg before as Kenya hit a century for two. Kaul scored 32 off 46 and hit the periphery four times to be Kenya’s third runs scorer.

Rakep was bowled and he gave way for Collins Obuya (24) together with Dhiren Gondaria (35) not out, completed the job for a score of 170 for the loss of three wickets. Gondaria who is also Kenya’s second choice wicketkeeper hit four boundaries and two sixes.

Ngoche eliminated three for 35 while Kerai who will be making his maiden appearance for the country against Nepal took three wickets for 39. Nehemiah Odhiambo and Nelson Odhiambo dismissed one each. Kenya will play Baroda Cricket Association under-23 side at Reliance Ground tomorrow.