Kenya just too strong

Kenya’s cricketers yesterday beat Namibia on bonus points to progress to the semi-finals of the Inter-Continental Cup.

The three-day match at the Wanderers ground ended in a draw after Namibia reached 68 runs for the loss of five wickets in their second innings, chasing an improbable victory target of 228 runs. But Kenya won the match on bonus points – 17 to Namibia’s 15 – and will now represent Africa in the semi-finals of the Inter-Continental Cup, to be hosted by Namibia in October.The other semifinalists will consist of the winners from Europe, the Americas and Asia.In the end, Kenya’s experience told as they held the upper hand throughout the match, while Namibia wilted under the pressure.Kenya batted first and declared their first innings at 300 for the loss of six wickets.Morris Ouma (63), Steve Tikolo (86) and Collins Obuya (53) were their top scorers, while Kola Burger (3/35), Deon Kotze (2/28) and Gerrie Snyman (1/53) were Namibia’s wicket takers.Namibia recovered well to reach 335 all out in their first innings.Namibia’s top-order batsmen all struggled to get going, as Stefan Swanepoel made 39, JB Burger (19), Danie Keulder (23), Morne Karg (13) and Deon Kotze (3).With half the team out, Namibia were in trouble at 153/5 but Namibia’s lower order batsmen came to the rescue.Louis Burger was run out for 87, while Gerrie Snyman added 75, which included four sixes, Bjorn Kotze 28 and new cap Tobie Verwey 16 not out.Kenya’s top bowlers were Martin Suji (2/69) and Lameck Onyango (3/61).Kenya declared their second innings at 282/9.Martin Suji top-scored with 72 not out, while Kennedy Obuya added 56 and Steve Tikolo 41.Namibia’s top bowlers were Gerrie Snyman (2/61) and Deon Kotze (2/46).According to the bonus points system, Namibia then had to score 75 runs without the loss of a wicket to win the bonus points race, but Kenya turned on the pressure and wickets fell regularly.The match was eventually called off with Namibia on 68/5.JB Burger scored 4, Stephan Swanepoel 29, Deon Kotze 5, Louis Burger 0, Morne Karg 16 ad Gerrie Snyman 11 not out.Kenya’s top bowlers were Steve Tikolo (2/8), Peter Ochieng (1/19) and Martin Suji (1/14).Suji won the man of the match award after a fine all-round performance.But Kenya won the match on bonus points – 17 to Namibia’s 15 – and will now represent Africa in the semi-finals of the Inter-Continental Cup, to be hosted by Namibia in October.The other semifinalists will consist of the winners from Europe, the Americas and Asia.In the end, Kenya’s experience told as they held the upper hand throughout the match, while Namibia wilted under the pressure.Kenya batted first and declared their first innings at 300 for the loss of six wickets.Morris Ouma (63), Steve Tikolo (86) and Collins Obuya (53) were their top scorers, while Kola Burger (3/35), Deon Kotze (2/28) and Gerrie Snyman (1/53) were Namibia’s wicket takers.Namibia recovered well to reach 335 all out in their first innings.Namibia’s top-order batsmen all struggled to get going, as Stefan Swanepoel made 39, JB Burger (19), Danie Keulder (23), Morne Karg (13) and Deon Kotze (3).With half the team out, Namibia were in trouble at 153/5 but Namibia’s lower order batsmen came to the rescue.Louis Burger was run out for 87, while Gerrie Snyman added 75, which included four sixes, Bjorn Kotze 28 and new cap Tobie Verwey 16 not out.Kenya’s top bowlers were Martin Suji (2/69) and Lameck Onyango (3/61).Kenya declared their second innings at 282/9.Martin Suji top-scored with 72 not out, while Kennedy Obuya added 56 and Steve Tikolo 41.Namibia’s top bowlers were Gerrie Snyman (2/61) and Deon Kotze (2/46).According to the bonus points system, Namibia then had to score 75 runs without the loss of a wicket to win the bonus points race, but Kenya turned on the pressure and wickets fell regularly.The match was eventually called off with Namibia on 68/5.JB Burger scored 4, Stephan Swanepoel 29, Deon Kotze 5, Louis Burger 0, Morne Karg 16 ad Gerrie Snyman 11 not out.Kenya’s top bowlers were Steve Tikolo (2/8), Peter Ochieng (1/19) and Martin Suji (1/14).Suji won the man of the match award after a fine all-round performance.