By IANS,
Kolkata: Zimbabwe put up a clinical display and outplayed Kenya by 161 runs to end their World Cup campaign with two wins from
Group A.
The Zimbabwe batsmen set up a daunting 308 and their spinners later did the job, bowling out Kenya for a paltry 147.
Zimbabwe’s other win came against Canada earlier in the competition while Kenya suffered its sixth loss in as many matches, finishing last in Group A. Both teams were already out of contention for a quarterfinal berth.
Chasing a a stiff target of 309, Kenya was off to a terrible start with four batsman back in the hut for 44 runs. The batting, which blossomed against defending champions Australia in their last league game, failed to deliver as the Zimbabwe spinners bowled with guile. Nehemiah Odiambo’s 44 off 47 balls was the lone bright spot in an otherwise ordinary batting display.
Ray Price (2-20), Greg Lamb (2-21) and Graeme Cremer (2-28) kept on taking wickets at regular intervals and made sure Kenya was never in the game.
Earlier, the Zimbabwe middle order made valuable contributions in getting the total past 300.
Tatenda Taibu (53) and Vusi Sibanda (61) provided the foundation after the loss of two early wickets before Craig Ervine (66) and captain Elton Chigumbara (38) accelerated. Greg Lamb (17) and Prosper Utseya (19) provided the late flourish.
Taibu and Sibanda were involved in a 110-run stand after the loss of Brendan Taylor (26) and Regis Chakabva (9) that left Zimbabwe two wickets down for 36 after electing to bat.
Taibu hit seven fours while Sibanda struck seven fours and one six.
After their fall, Ervine stepped up the attack and with Chigumbara, shared a 105-run stand. Ervine smashed nine fours and one six in his 54-ball innings while Chigumbara blasted three fours and two sixes.
For Kenya, Elijah Otieno took two for 61.