It was a day of fluctuating fortunes for Kenya as their 2007/8 Intercontinental Cup season got underway against Canada at Nairobi Gymkhana yesterday. Losing the toss, Kenya were asked to bowl and despite some cloud and early moisture were not able to get the early breakthrough as Canadian openers Abdul Jabbar Chaudrey and Mohammad Iqbal got the visitors off to a solid start. Abdul Jabbar was the main aggressor and looked to be closing in on a debut 50 when the spin of Jimmy Kamande brought him unstuck on 49.

What followed was sheer delight for the Kenyan fans as Kamande ripped through the rest of the top order taking three more wickets without conceding a run. Canada had slumped from 78 for no loss to 4/81. Indeed such was Kamande’s hold on the game at that point that he was also involved in the next two wickets to fall, catching Qaiser Ali off Hiren Varaiya to see the visitors 5/97. Immediately after lunch, he ran out Ashif Mulla and Kenya looked very much on top at 121/6.

Just as the momentum had swung in the morning towards Kenya, the session after lunch belonged to Canada with their captain Sunil Dhaniram leading the fight back. He found able support in Umar Bhatti and the two played well and rode their luck to a certain extent to put on 99 for the 7th wicket. A lack of concentration undid Dhaniram on 78 when he chased a short ball from Varaiya and the spinner was unlucky to have Durand Soraine dropped by Nehemiah Odhiambo the following ball off a much more deserving delivery.

It was an expensive drop as the next partnership added 40 runs before Steve Tikolo brought on the new ball in the 86th over. Thomas Odoyo obliged almost immediately removing Bhatti for 57 after chasing a short ball that beat him for speed. Odhiambo and Peter Ongondo did the rest in the next couple of overs and Canada finished on 263. It was 40 runs short of what they would have liked and Coach Pubudu Dassanayake was not overly happy with his team’s performance. However, without the grit from Dhaniram and Bhatti, it could have been a lot worse and Kenya will also be disappointed that they didn’t make better headway once the slide had started.

Canada finished the day right in the match as Umar Bhatti completed a good day at the office by removing opener Maurice Ouma first ball with a lovely delivery that beat him all ends up. Ouma’s poor run continues to cause problems for Kenya and there must be serious questions now as to how long the selectors can persevere with him in the national team. There are many that are of the opinion that it would do both him and the team a lot more good for him to have a stint in the A team to rebuild his confidence.

Hiren Varaiya joined David Obuya as night watchman and survived a torrid spell of short pitch bowling from the Canadians. He wore at least one and ducked away from the rest to see Kenya safely to the close without further mishap. Kenya still trail by 255 runs going into day two, but with plenty of batting to come, they should feel confident of taking the first innings points from this game. Much will depend on the form of Swamibapa batsmen Steve Tikolo and Alex Obanda who will be hoping their team mate’s poor showing is not a sign of things to come.