fighting innings by kenya

fighting innings by kenya

Australia v Kenya, World Cup 2011, Group A, Bangalore

Mishra and Obuya hold up Australia

Tanmay Mishra

Australia's quick bowlers made predictable early breakthroughs but Kenya provided some resistance to reach 113 for 3 chasing an improbable 325. Brett Lee and Shaun Tait worked up decent pace in their first run-out for a week however, the support from Mitchell Johnson and Steve Smith was less convincing as Tanmay Mishra produced a classy innings.

There was swing for Lee and in his second over he found the outside of Maurice Ouma's bat, but already Alex Obanda had shown some guts when he upper cut Tait for six over third man. That, though, was nothing compared to the blow be unleashed in Tait's next over which sailed deep into the stand at long on after he'd picked a slower ball.

Tait managed a smile and shelved the slower deliveries. A bouncer whistled past Obanda's head before the batsman lost his composure against a low full toss which he tried to swing through the leg side.

The Obuya brothers, David and Collins, put their heads down and showed some grit to see off Lee and Tait only for their sibling understanding to let them down. David pushed the ball towards midwicket but Collins didn't move, leaving his brother stranded as he tried to get back and David gave a few home truths as he departed.

Mishra, though, showed some class with swift footwork against Smith to firstly pull him over midwicket for six then loft him through the off side. Collins Obuya managed to refocus after the run out to provide solid support as Smith was given an extended spell and Jason Krejza began his work.

Tait was recalled to the attack and sprayed a huge wide past the diving Brad Haddin then Mishra confidently drove Krejza through the covers. Australia remained firmly in control but they'll want to win in convincing style.

Australia 324 for 6 (Clarke 93, Hussey 54, Odhiambo 3-57) v Kenya

It was like he'd never been away for Michael Hussey as he slotted back into Australia's one-day side with a brisk 54 and Michael Clarke fell seven short of a hundred as Australia reached an imposing 324 for 6 against Kenya. Hussey and Clarke added 114 for the fifth wicket after the middle order suffered a small wobble against Kenya's spinners following Brad Haddin's workmanlike 65 which set a platform.

Although Clarke made the highest score it was Hussey's innings that was most significant as he returned from his serious hamstring injury with his brother, David, dropped to make space. He opened his account with a boundary off his first delivery and didn't drop below a run-a-ball. Although he'll face far tougher tasks than this Kenya unit, it was a more valuable innings than any net session could provide.

He was quick on his feet, gave the hamstring a good test with a few dives for the crease and his placement was as calculated as it always has been. The only time it let him down was when he picked out long-on during the batting Powerplay. Considering he'd only had two brief Sheffield Shield innings before coming to India it was remarkable how easy it looked even taking into account some friendly bowling.

Clarke, meanwhile, ticked over with minimal fuss after feeling his way in against the spinners on a surface that offered turn. His average in World Cup cricket is over 100 and the struggles of Australia's home season against England are now being put to the back of the mind. He regularly used his feet to chip down the pitch and drove sweetly through the off side on a ground that holds fond memories after his debut Test century in 2004.

After Hussey departed Clarke began to open up during the fielding restrictions and collected four boundaries in quick succession including a six over midwicket. He'd equalled his highest score in World Cup matches when he couldn't quite clear long-on to give the deserving Nehemiah Odhiambo his third wicket.

It has been an odd tournament so far for Australia with two facile victories against Zimbabwe and New Zealand followed by the rain-hit clash against Sri Lanka. Their form is hard to gauge and the lack of middle time for the batsmen could well have played a part in Ricky Ponting's decision to bat, although there were also signs the pitch may get slower and lower.

The openers were quickly out of the blocks with 31 runs in the first four overs as Shane Watson peppered the rope until he tried to cut Odhiambo and got a top edge to the keeper. Kenya asked for a review first ball against Ponting but the lbw was nowhere near and he was off the mark with a stylish swivel-pull.

However, Australia managed just 14 runs in seven overs before Ponting freed his arms to drive Elijah Otieno through point. Haddin was having particular trouble forcing the pace as he kept hitting the field and was fortunate when an edge flew past slip on 16, while he could have been run out on 25 when his bat got stuck in the adjacent pitch.

Steadily, though, the pair increased the scoring rate and Haddin brought up his fifty off 63 balls with a deft glide to third man only to pick out long-on attempting his second six. That began a good period for Kenya as Collins Obuya trapped Ponting lbw for a scratchy 36 after correctly opting to review the original not-out decision.

Cameron White, who retained his place ahead of David Hussey, continued his lean run when he was beaten by a ripping delivery from Jimmy Kamande to leave Australia on 143 for 4 and in need of some rebuilding. Clarke and Hussey did the job expertly.