Brilliant batting from Sri Lanka and a lackluster effort in the field from Kenya saw Kenya not only concede the highest total in an international Twenty-20 match (by a margin of some 40 runs), but also go on to lose by the biggest margin ever.

In a game that went wrong right from the start, Kenya's bowlers were flayed to all parts of the ground with only Thomas Odoyo standing out with figures of 1/14 off 3 overs, while all the others gave away 12 or more an over. A collision in the field meant that Odoyo was unable to bowl his final over and also missed out on batting, neither of which would have changed the outcome of the match, though would have lessened the margin of defeat somewhat.

Where Kenya were ordinary, Sri Lanka were brilliant. Sanath Jayasuriya lead the way with a quite extraordinary display of batting on his way to 88, incidentally the same score that Kenya were able to manage in reply. The difference was that Jayasuriya did it in only 65 balls. He was not alone in plundering the bowling however as both Kumar Sangakkara (30 off 27) and Mahela Jayawardene (65 off 37) joined the act. It was Jehan Mubarak in the final overs that really added insult to injury as he blasted his way to 46* off only 10 deliveries. It was already going to be a big score, but his fireworks ensured it became astronomical.

Kenya were never going to be able to chase 260 and with one man down, it was always going to be a matter of how big a margin of victory they would concede. As against New Zealand, it was the quick bowlers who caused most of the damage, though once again poor shot selection played its part. Some consolation can be taken from the fact that at least the final total was better than the effort against New Zealand and that youngsters Mishra and Obanda were not overawed by the situation and finished top scorers for the innings. For Kenyan fans though, this brings to an end a nightmare month and unless something is done quickly to turn things around before Canada visit in early October, there may yet be worse to come.

Kenya must head home and get things sorted out as soon as possible in all departments. The administration need to act now to give the players a set up that improves their games. They also need to provide a new coach ASAP to take over from Roger Harper and he in turn will need to do some quick work to turn things around on the field. Steve Tikolo needs to marshal his troops and get attitudes right before the Canada matches and the selectors need to sit down and reconsider some of the players on the fringes of the team who are performing well domestically, but have been left out. There is a lot to do and there is not enough time to do it in, but somehow pride needs to be restored.