Little known spinner Collins Obuya took five wickets as Kenya pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in Nairobi today when they beat 1996 champions Sri Lanka by 53 runs. The dramatic triumph was set up by Obuya who ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan batting line-up, finishing with 5-24 off 10 overs, the ninth best bowling performance in the history of the event as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 157 off 45 overs.
Chasing a modest target of 211 to win, Sri Lanka were limping along at 112-5 when the 21-year-old Obuya turned the tide by having dangerman Aravinda de Silva caught by Kennedy Otieno after the veteran batsman had made 41 off 53 balls. As well as dismissing Hashan Tillakaratne and Kumar Sangakkara, Obuya also took two spectacular catches off his own bowling to get rid of Mahela Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas, the second of which sent him off on an impromptu lap of honour around the ground as his team sensed a famous win. Maurice Odumbe secured the win by bowling Dilhara Fernando.
Kenya, who now have 12 points from four games, top Group B and will now fancy their chances of reaching the Super Sixes with Bangladesh and West Indies still to play. The West Indies are on ten points and co-hosts South Africa and New Zealand are on eight apiece with two matches left.
In today's Group A match in Bulawayo, Australia wrapped up their fourth win of the tournament with a convincing seven-wicket success over Zimbabwe. The holders seemed in little trouble as Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann safely steered them past their 247-run target with half centuries in an unbroken stand of 88. Zimbabwe were indebted to half centuries from Andy Flower and Andy Blignaut as they posted 246 for nine from their 50 overs.
Filed by James Boylan.
