Kenya Continue Their Dream Run

India's prospects of entering the final of the World Cup received an unexpected boost today when minnows Kenya shockedZimbabwe with a seven-wicket win in a Super Six tie at the Goodyear Park inBloemfontein.

With their upset victory, Kenyans made their maiden entry into the semi-finals for which Australia and India havealready qualified. The fourth place will go to either Sri Lanka or New Zealand, depending on the outcome of theirrespective last Super Six matches. 

The upset victory by Kenya ensured them a third-place finish which means they will meet India, second in the SuperSix table behind Australia, in the semi-finals. India, who have 16 points and a match to go, had beaten Kenya by sixwickets last week.

New Zealand will take on India on Friday and a win there would ensure it the fourth place in the semi-finals.

The fate of Sri Lanka, which is to meet Zimbabwe in their last match, will be decided by the result of the India-New Zealand match,only an Indian victory clearing the way for the islanders who have 7.5 points against 8 for New Zealand.

In today's game, Kenya made mincemeat of Zimbabwe, skittling them for a paltry 133 runs before racing their wayto victory in just 26 overs. Maurice Odumbe hammered 38 unbeaten runs from just 20 deliveries while Thomas Odoyo made43 not out to star in Kenya's second big upset in this tournament.

The Kenyans had earlier stunned former champions Sri Lanka in the league matches.

Zimbabwe, who elected to bat, were never allowed to settle in by some accurate bowling by medium-pacer Martin Sujiand leg-spinner Collins Obuya, both of whom claimed three wickets.

Veteran Andy Flower, who has announced his decision to retire after this competition, waged a lonely battle among theruins, top-scoring with 63 runs. But the rest of the batsmen, including recalled former captain Alistair Campbell just cavedin to pressure in this must-win game for them.

Martin Suji dismissed both the openers, Campbell and Craig Wishart in his first five overs, leaving Zimbabwe at 26for two, a position from which they never recovered.

Andy Flower batted comfortably at one end but had no one to give him company as wickets fell at quick intervals at theother end.

After Martin Suji had dismissed Grant Flower (7) too, Collins wrecked the middle order with key wickets of TatendaTaibu (3), Dion Ebrahim (13) and Heath Streak (0) to leave Zimbabwe panting at 97 for seven in the 31st over.

Andy Flower, who made his runs from 101 balls with seven hits to the fence, finally fell as the eighth wicket in the36th over which dashed all hopes of Zimbabwe putting up a fighting total.

Andy Blignaut scored a useful 21 runs before being the last man out in the 45th over.

The score of 133 could hardly challenge the Kenyans who hammered their way to glory once their batsmen had recoveredfrom the early loss of two wickets.

Ravindu Shah and Kennedy Otieno were dismissed in quick succession after they had put on 24 runs for the first wicket.

Zimbabwe also earned the wicket of Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo at the total of 62 but Odumbe and Odoyo completely shut theopposition out with their lusty hitting.

Once the Kenyans approached the 80-run mark, they simplyhit out, unleashing a flurry of boundaries.

In fact, seven of the eight boundaries from Odumbe came in the last three overs which produced 32 runs for Kenya. Odoyo's 43 came 60 deliveries and contained nine hits tothe fence.

However, it was Martin Suji who was declared man of the match for his bowling figures of 3-19 from 8 overs.

PTI