Uphill task for Kenya: Cricket Coach hopeful over today’s match after Friday loss to The Netherlands

Nairobi Gymkana's Wicket Keeper Kavi Dosaja, left, catch ball after Battsman Dhiren Gondaria of Kanbis missed it during Nairobi Province Cricket Association league at Eastleigh High School on Sunday, June 10, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya suffered a six-wicket loss in a World Cricket League Championship tie in South Africa.

Kenya’s hope of going up the table in the World Cricket League Championships standings suffered a major setback on Friday following their six wicket loss to The Netherlands.

The match, which was played at Buffalo Park Oval in East London in South Africa, was the first of the two matches that Kenya needed to win and improve their chances of going up the table and making it to the last round of ICC Global qualifiers.   

Kenya are currently fifth on the WCLC standings with ten points, eight less than leaders the Dutch who they take on today in their second clash.

Friday’s loss reduced Kenya’s chances and they must win their remaining matches and hope that Hong Kong who are fourth with 11 points lose their remaining duels.

Scotland (15) and Papua New Guinea (14) are second and third, respectively, leaving the battle for the last qualification slot between Kenya and Hong Kong.

 Remains optimistic

The top four teams on the WCLC standings will secure their places in the ICC global qualifiers.

Despite Kenya’s reduced chances, coach Thomas Odoyo remains optimistic that Kenya still have a chance to make it to the global qualifiers set for next year in a yet-to-be announced venue.

“We still have a slim chance to be among the top four if we win all our remaining matches although I must admit that it is a tough task because it also depends on how Hong Kong play,” Odoyo said.

Odoyo added that he was confident in the abilities of his players saying that it was unfortunate they lost.

“The conditions were not favourable when we batted in the morning and we fell short of our targeted score by about 30 runs and we will focus on how to get more runs as well as good execution in bowling.”

Batting first, Kenya were restricted to 226 for seven in the allotted 50 overs with Collins Obuya and youngster Dhiren Gondaria hitting half centuries each. However, Obuya’s 72 runs of 77 and Gondaria’s 60-ball 53 went to waste as Kenya failed to defend their total. Brilliant performance by skipper Peter Borren and Michael Rippon saw Netherlands ease to victory with seven balls to spare.