CRICKET:AN UNBEATEN fifth-wicket stand of 114 between Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo helped Kenya to a six-wicket victory over Ireland in Pretoria to secure their place at the 2011 World Cup.
With qualification already secure, Ireland coach Phil Simmons rested some of his front-line players, with four changes from Wednesday’s victory over the Netherlands.
Niall O’Brien top-scored with 59, while John Mooney hit 34 from 27 deliveries down the order as Ireland made 208 for nine from their 50 overs.
Two wickets from left-arm spinner Regan West reduced Kenya to 96 for four in reply, before Obuya (66 not out) and Odoyo (50 not out) joined in their match-winning partnership.
Despite the loss, Ireland finished the Super Eights stage on top of the table after the Netherlands beat Canada by four wickets, with both sides clinching spots in the World Cup.
Ireland will now play Canada in tomorrow’s final at Centurion.
Scotland missed out on a World Cup spot, although their 122-run victory over the UAE ensures them One-Day International status, while Afghanistan’s meteoric rise continued as they qualified for both ODI and Intercontinental Cup status after a 22-run win over Namibia.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday they are moving 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan due to the “uncertain political situation” in the country.
ICC president David Morgan said: “It is a regrettable decision. Our number one priority is to create certainty and deliver a safe, secure and successful event.”
The ICC board agreed at their meeting in Dubai yesterday that the event will now be hosted in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
IRELAND
W Porterfield c Ouma b Odhiambo 21
G Wilson b Odoyo 0
A Poynter b Ongondo 14
N O’Brien c Onyango b Tikolo 59
K O’Brien run out 22
A White lbw b Varaiya 25
K McCallan cb Tikolo 5
J Mooney c Tikolo b Odhiambo 34
R West c Onyango b Tikolo 4
P Connell not out 10
P Eaglestone not out 0
Extras (b 5, lb 2, w 7) 14
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 ovs) 208
Fall: 1-2, 2-36, 3-38, 4-85, 5-146, 6-157, 7-157, 8-169, 9-207.
Bowling: T Odoyo 10-1-34-1; P Ongondo 10-4-25-1; N Odhiambo 9-0-32-2; L Onyango 9-0-50-0; H Viraiya 5-0-30-1; J Kamande 3-0-19-0; S Tikolo 4-0-11-3.
KENYA
M Ouma lbw b Eaglestone 9
K Obuya c Wilson b West 31
A Obanda c West b K O’Brien 11
S Tikolo c N O’Brien b West 25
C Obuya not out 66
T Odoyo not out 50
Extras (lb 3, nb 5, w 9) 17
Total (for 4 wkts, 48 ovs) 209
Did not bat: J Kamande, N Odhiambo, H Viraiya, L Onyango, P Ongondo.
Fall: 1-17, 2-45, 3-83, 4-96.
Bowling: P Connell 8-2-38-0; P Eaglestone 5-1-19-1; J Mooney 5-0-36-0; K O’Brien 7-0-38-1; K McCallan 10-0-29-0; R West 10-2-40-2; A White 3-0-6-0.
Kenya won by 6 wkts.
Man of the match: Collins Obuya.
Other results: Netherlands bt Canada by 6 wkts; Scotland bt UAE by 122 runs; Afghanistan bt Namibia by 22 runs.
FINAL SUPER EIGHTS TABLE
P W LPts NRR
Ireland 7 5 2 10 0.689
Canada 7 4 3 8 0.687
Kenya 7 4 3 8 0.035
Netherlands 7 4 3 8 0.025
Scotland 7 3 4 6 -0.140
Afghanistan 7 3 4 6 -0.209
UAE 7 3 4 6 -1.080
Namibia 7 2 5 4 -0.079
Tomorrow’s ranking games — Final: Ireland v Canada; 3rd/4th play-off: Kenya v Netherlands; 5th/6th play-off: Scotland v Afghanistan; 7th/8th play-off: UAE v Namibia.
