Kenya Zulued

POTCHEFSTROOM (SOUTH AFRICA),
FEB 12 (AP)

Herschelle Gibbs savaged the Kenyan attack today as South Africa raced to a 10-wicket victory over Kenya intheir World Cup clash at the North-West Stadium.

Gibbs scored an unbeaten 87, including 12 fours and four sixes, as the South Africans reached their targetin the 22nd over. Gary Kirsten was a touch more sedate, but he, too, scored a half-century, reaching 52 off 63balls with nine fours.

It was pretty much over as a contest after Lance Klusener ripped out the heart of the Kenyan lower order asSouth Africa dismissed Kenya for 140 in 38 overs.

Gibbs and Kirsten were then dismissive in chasing down the very small victory target. Gibbs wasparticularly severe on the Kenyan attack, which seemed unable to find a consistent line or length.

He took just 66 balls to reach his 83, and played shots all around the wicket. There were some edgy strokesin his innings, but he never looked in any danger of being dismissed.

Klusener, whose big hitting 57 against the West Indies took South Africa to within four runs of victory onthe opening day, has struck form just at the right time, and he took four wickets for just 16 runs in eighttight overs.

Earlier, the surprise of the match was South Africa choosing to drop veteran fast bowler Allan Donald.Despite Kluesner's bowling, opening batsman Ravindu Shah hit a polished 60 for the Kenyans, while all-rounderThomas Odoyo hit out towards the end of the innings to make 22.

Lance Klusener, emerging from a long slump to revive memories of his man-of-the-series exploits in the 1999World Cup, took four for 16, while two run-outs contributed to the Kenya's problems.

The omission of Donald, 36, was a surprise as the selectors decided against rotating their squad followinga three-run defeat against the West Indies in the opening match. A team spokesman said Donald was fit forselection.

Donald bowled poorly against the West Indies but his replacement today, Charl Langeveldt, was unimpressiveas he conceded 24 runs in five overs without taking a wicket.

Shah was dropped by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher off Makhaya Ntini when he was on two, but then battedsoundly to reach 60 off 87 balls with seven fours.

Shah had made 50 in Kenya's only previous World Cup match against South Africa, in Amstelveen, Holland, in1999.

It was not a good day in the field for South Africa. Boucher later dropped Odoyo off left-arm spinner NickyBoje.

Maurice Odumbe was missed by Jonty Rhodes at short cover off Boje, while Shaun Pollock twice dropped Odoyooff successive balls from Ntini, although the first was a near-impossible chance as he ran back from slip tochase a skied hook.