THE VALLEY, Anguilla, (CMC) - Maurice Odumbe recorded his highest first-class score as the Kenyan recorded his maiden first-class double century, to pilot his side to a commanding position on the second day of their second round Carib Beer Series match at the Ronald Webster Park yesterday.
Kenya were eventually bowled out for 564, with Odumbe smashing 207, as the Leeward Islands finished the day on 167 for two wickets.
The stylish right-hander struck 23 fours and two sixes in his 225-ball innings, as he single-handedly knocked the wind out of the Leewards’ sails after they picked up an early wicket, with only six runs added to the visitors’ score.
Resuming on 360 for three wickets with Odumbe 74 and captain Steve Tikolo 94, the Kenyans quickly lost Tikolo without an addition to his overnight score.
The skipper was caught and bowled by Wilden Cornwall after he miscued a hook.
Tikolo and Odumbe added 171 for the fourth wicket. Odumbe was then joined by Maurice Ouma and they continued to motor along.
However, after the pair had added 96, Ouma tried to steer a lifting ball from Shane Jeffers and was caught by Alex Adams at slip for 40.
Collins Obuya (0) didn’t last long after going to the middle, as he too did not get the hook shot right against a short ball from Jeffers and was caught by Tonito Willett at short square leg.
Kenya went to lunch on 493 for six wickets, with Odumbe 150 not out and within the first hour the Leeward Islands picked up the wickets of Francis Otieno (4) and Martin Suji (3) both going to the bowling of Elsroy Powell.
Otieno got a full-length ball and was trapped leg-before-wicket, while Suji received a yorker and was bowled.
Peter Ongondo (12) drove Browne to slip where Adams accepted the catch.
Odumbe, realising he was running out of partners was the last out, caught by Powell on the long-on boundary as he lifted spinner Virgil Browne.
Cornwall ended with three wickets for 132, while Powell’s three came at a cost of 138 runs.
The Leewards went to tea 62 without loss with Adams 39 and Jeffers 21. After the interval Jeffers (28) was the first to go as Francis Otieno took a sharp offering at silly-mid-on, as the left-hander tried to on-drive Obuya.
Adams (90) and his new partner Sylvester Joseph (37*) added 91 for the second wicket before the former drove airily at medium pacer Francis Otieno, only to watch as Peter Ongondo ran from mid-of to extra-cover to take a well-timed diving catch.
Joseph and nightwatchman Tonito Willett (3*) saw the team to the close without further loss.
KENYA 1st innings
R.Shah c Jeffers b Cornwall 99
K.Obuya c Joseph b Powell 54
B.Patel c Adams b Cornwall 2
S.Tikolo c & b Cornwall 94
M.Odumbe c Powell b Browne 207
M.Ouma c Adams b Jeffers 40
C.Obuya c Willett b Jeffers 0
F.Otieno lbw Powell 4
M.Suji b Powell 3
P.Ongondo c Adams b Browne 12
L.Onyango not out 1
Extras: (b-6, lb-16, nb-24, w-2) 48
Total: (all out - 128.2 overs) 564
Fall of wickets: 1-154, 2-169, 3-195, 4-366, 5-462, 6-462, 7-501, 8-505,9-559.