ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) - Overnight rain and seepage under the covers deprived Jamaica and Kenya two full sessions of play on the opening day of their fourth round Carib Beer Series match at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Play eventually started at 3.30 Eastern Caribbean Time, and the Kenyans closed on 82 for two with Kennedy Obuya not out on 41 and Martin Suji on one.
Under sunny skies, umpires Evelyn Jones and Eddie Nicholls had several inspections of the conditions before giving the green light for play after tea and the Africans, without a win so far in the series, made a steady start.
The right-handed Obuya, a nine-year veteran in the side, gave the Kenyans the start they needed and posted 68 for the first wicket with Ravindu Shah.
The partnership was broken when Shah attempted a risky single and was run-out for 34.
He ran off down the pitch after playing the ball on the on-side and his attempt to get back to the crease was late as he failed to beat Brenton Parchment’s throw -- to wicketkeeper Keith Hibbert -- from wide mid-on.
Shah hit three boundaries in a 56-ball knock.
Kenya, who held the Leewards and Trinidad and Tobago to drawn results after losing their opening game to West Indies-B, lost a second wicket shortly before the close, denying them a more satisfying start to the game.
Number three batsman Brijal Patel, facing the Jamaica captain Gareth Breese popped a catch to Tamar Lambert at forward short leg against the off-spinner, and departed for four as the score dipped to 81 for two.
Breese, who executed a very tight bowling effort in partnership with left-arm spinner Ryan Cunningham, finished with one for 14 off six overs.
Cunningham’s figures were a stifling none for 15 off 11 overs with seven maidens as the Jamaicans, behind the required pace -- 17 points behind leaders Barbados in fourth place -- to regain the championship title they last won in 2002, sought to get on top of the Kenyans.
From their side that lost in the third round to Barbados, Jamaica omitted Lorenzo Ingram and replaced him with reserve West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh.
Kenya made two changes to their team that drew with Trinidad and Tobago last weekend, with Lameck Onyango and Rageb Aga coming in for Francis Otieno and Collins Obuya.
KENYA 1st innings
K.Obuya not out 41
R.Shah run-out 34
B.Patel c Lambert b Breese 4
M.Suji not out 1
Extras: (b-1, nb-1) 2
Total: (for 2 wickets) 82
Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-81.
Bowling: Taylor 6-2-18-0, Richardson 4-0-14-0, Bernard 7-2-20-0 (nb-1), Cunningham 11-7-15-0, Breese 6-0-14-1.