Inspired bowling and tight fielding enabled Kenya to hold off Bermuda’s run chase in convincing fashion in the first ODI played at Mombasa Sports Club yesterday. Kenya set a total of 225 for the visitors to chase for victory, largely on the back of steady batting from David Obuya and Steve Tikolo backed up by some lusty hitting in the latter overs by tailenders Nehemiah Odhiambo and Peter Ongondo.

Bermuda never looked dangerous in reply. Right from the start, they were pinned down by Kenya’s tight bowling and did not once get close to the required run rate. Thomas Odoyo rewarded for his miserly spell with the early breakthrough. His figures of 5 overs, 2 maidens, 1 wicket for 7 runs a major reason why Bermuda remained under pressure throughout their innings. Fellow opener Peter Ongondo unusually the only bowler not to take a wicket, but again his economy rate contributing to the team effort. When your opening bowlers only give away 21 runs from the first 10 overs, it is always going to make things easier for those that follow. Tony Suji was the initial beneficiary, snaring the second wicket, that of Irvin Romain, though he was the most expensive of Kenya’s bowlers.

Bermuda looked briefly as though they would make a comeback when both the Tuckers were at the crease, but once again Hiren Varaiya came to the party for Kenya. He took two wickets in his first over getting rid of first Janeiro Tucker, then David Hemp for a duck. Bowled through by the captain, Varaiya kept the screws tightened on the visitors and was rewarded later in the innings with the wicket of Dean Minors to finish with 3/29, figures that earned him the man-of-the-match award. Varaiya has been a great find for Kenya this year and continues to improve with each outing. His presence means that the responsibility of carrying the spin burden is lifted of Steve Tikolo, and though the captain did his part, taking 1/17 off 5 overs, it must come as a welcome relief to once more have a quality, wicket-taking spinner in the side.

Also given ten overs, Jimmy Kamande responded by taking the wickets of both Mukaddem and Jones caught and bowled. An impressive fielder, Kamande has the potential to be a very useful all-rounder for Kenya if he can make some runs internationally. He has had a good domestic season with the bat, but has yet to show his true worth in ODIs. Hopefully the rest of this series and the matches in January will see him take that step.

Bermuda’s inability to get close to the run rate meant that Tikolo had the luxury of holding back his strike bowlers in order to give those more in need of international experience extra overs. Like Kamande, Nehemiah Odhiambo also getting a few more than he might expect had it been a tighter situation. Following the example set by Odoyo and Ongondo, he continued to keep the scoring down and was rewarded when he clean bowled Ryan Steede to seal the victory for Kenya in the 45th over. A very good match from him all round.

All in all it was an impressive display in the field by Kenya and should give them confidence ahead of the last two matches. A few doubts still remain over the batting line up, with the inability to form significant partnerships the main concern, especially in the middle order. Still, it is a convincing win for Kenya and puts preparations for the World Cup back on track. It is important now that the momentum is kept up and a second victory recorded today.