THE VALLEY, Anguilla, (CMC) - Opening batsman Ravindu Shah and captain Steve Tikolo both posted scores in the 90s as Kenya flogged the Leeward Islands bowling on the opening day of their second round Carib Beer Series match at the Ronald Webster Park, yesterday. Sent to bat, Kenya punished a hapless Leewards bowling attack and closed at a healthy 360 for three, with Tikolo not out on 94 and the in-form Maurice Odumbe on 74 in an unfinished 165-run fourth-wicket stand.
Earlier, Shah, who shared in an attacking 154-run first-wicket partnership with Kennedy Obuya, fell one short of a hundred. The pair had a fruitful morning session and went to the break at 113 without loss. The Leewards, who have not won a regional four-day title since sharing the Presidents Cup with Guyana in 1998, gifted the Kenyans two chances in the morning when Obuya was put down twice off slow medium pacer Elsroy Powell. On 34, Carl Tuckett dropped him at slip, and four runs later in his innings, Kerry Jeremy failed to hold a chance at mid-off. The 100-partnership came up in a brisk 110 minutes off 154 balls and Shah stroked five boundaries in getting to his half-century just before the lunch break.
With the Leewards rallying in the post-lunch period, Obuya was first out -- caught by Sylvester Joseph at slip for 54 as he chased a wide ball from Powell (1-80). The Africans then dipped to 169 for two when Number 3 batsman Brijal Patel fell for two. Attempting to cut a rising delivery from Cornwall, he edged to wicketkeeper Jason Williams and Alex Adams clutched the chance after the ball deflected from the Leewards’ glove-man. Shah (99) appeared well set for a hundred approaching tea but lost his composure immediately before the break and pulled a delivery from Cornwall straight to Shane Jeffers at square leg. Shah hit 10 fours in his innings.
From a tea-time position of 195 for three, Kenya further deflated the home side, by adding a whopping 165 runs in only 135 minutes in the last session. Tikolo smashed 12 fours and Odumbe nine boundaries as Kenya, using the tournament to help them press for Test cricket status, dominated the Leewards’ bowling. Cornwall (2-98) was the most successful of the bowlers with two for 98 off 20 overs. (CMC)