Ireland have won their Intercontinental Cup clash with Kenya by ten runs at the Mombasa Sports Club.
Phil Simmons’ team posted a meagre 227 runs in their two innings at bat, but a sterling bowling performance, led by Albert Van Der Merwe, saw the Irish bowl Kenya out for just 217.
Kenya needed to score 119 in 262 second innings overs to win, but were bowled out for 108 with Van Der Merwe taking 6 for 27. George Dockrell took the other four wickets for 50.
Kenya stood firm late on and a ninth-wicket stand between Nelson Odhiambo and Hiren Varaiya, who had resurrected the Kenya chase from 36 for 8, almost secured the win for the African side.
Van Der Merwe had been in impressive form for the duration of the match, claiming 11 for 68; he received the man-of-the-match award for his heroics. Dockrell wasn’t far behind with 9 for 87. Kenya's Hiren Varaiya claimed 12 for 73. The hauls were career bests for the trio of players.
Ireland had begun the second day on 81 for 2 in the second innings. Ed Joyce failed to resume his innings that morning and Ireland slumped with Varaiya claiming Alex Cusack and Kevin O’Brien. Joyce managed to return after the eighth wicket but added only three runs as Ireland fell with a lead of 118.
Kenya knocked up 16 before the collapse began. Van der Merwe and Dockrell barged through the top eight of the Kenyan order with none of the eight making double digits. That left the Kenyans at 36 for 8.
Varaiya and Odhiambo’s stand of 58 – with 32 for Varaiya – put Kenya within sight of victory. Needing 25 to win, Shem Ngoche hit a four and six, but Van der Merwe came to Ireland’s rescue, taking Varaiya for 27 and winning the tie for Ireland.
As a result of the fixture, Ireland still lead the Intercontinental Cup table with 54 points, and remain unbeaten in the competition.
Ireland are back in the same ground for the ODI World Cup qualifiers against Kenya on 18 and 20 February.
