Mishra falls after brilliant half-century

By CricketCountry Staff

 

A well-made half century by Tanmay Mishra helped Kenya put up an impressive response to Australia’s 324. Mishra’s superb innings, studded with eight boundaries and a huge six off Steve Smith, came to an end when he was runout for career-best 72 off 88 balls by Michael Clarke, leaving Kenya 161 for four in 36 overs.

By CricketCountry Staff

 

Bengaluru: Mar 13, 2011

 

A well-made half century by Tanmay Mishra helped Kenya put up an impressive response to Australia’s 324. Mishra’s superb innings, studded with eight boundaries and a huge six off Steve Smith, came to an end when he was runout for career-best 72 off 88 balls by Michael Clarke, leaving Kenya 161 for four in 36 overs. 

 

Kenya need 164 more runs to win from 14 overs.

 

Mishra and Collins Obuya led the Kenyan fight back after Australia struck thrice. Opener Maurice Ouma was caught behind by Brad Haddin off Brett Lee in the third over. Alex Obanda, who hit Lee and pacer Shaun Tait for a six each, was bowled by Tait in the fourth over of the Kenyan innings.

 

Brothers Collins and David Obuya tried steadying the Kenya innings after the early blows, but didn’t last long as they got mixed up which resulted in David’s dismissal. Kenya at that stage, were 46 for three at the end of 10th over.

 

Earlier in the day, Australia set a target of 325 runs against Kenya in the World Cup Group A match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Michael Clarke missed out on century after getting dismissed for 93 off 80 balls, helping Australia go past 300.

 

Clarke and Hussey steadied Australia with their century stand for the fifth wicket after Kenya’s triple strike that left Australia reeling at 143 for four in 27 overs.

 

Clarke hit a well-made fifty off 52 balls consisting three boundaries and no less than 31 singles and was ably supported by Mike Hussey, who replaced brother David in the Australian squad.

 

Before Clarke-Hussey’s stand, Australia lost three wickets in quick successions. Brad Haddin was caught at the mid-wicket by Rakep Patel off Jimmy Kamande, Ponting was judged lbw off Collins Obuya and Cameron White was bowled by Kamande. Haddin hit nine boundaries and a six in his innings 65 off 79 balls and added 89 runs with Ponting for the second wicket.

 

Kenyan bowlers did a fair job with the ball giving away 74 runs in 15 overs and taking the crucial wicket of Shane Watson after Australia won the toss and decided to bat.

 

As if to refute the earlier claims of spot-fixing allegations on the Australian openers, Watson went after Elijah Otieno and hit him for 15 runs in the second over of the match to give Australia the momentum.

 

Kenya had tough luck in the field as some difficult catches were put down by the fielders.  Thomas Odoyo dropped Watson off his own delivery in the third over, who then edged a wide delivery off Nehemiah Odhiambo to wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma in the seventh over. Brad Haddin looked tad rusty in the start, and even got a lifeline by Nehemiah Odhiambo on his bowling.

 

Brief Scores: Australia 324 for 6 in 50 overs (Michael Clarke 93, Brad Haddin 65, Michael Hussey 54, Ricky Ponting 36; Jimmy Kamande 2 for 46, Nehemiah Odhiambo 3 for 57, Collins Obuya 1 for 33) vs Kenya 161 for 4 in 36 overs (Tanmay Mishra 72, Collins Obuya 46*; Brett Lee 1 for 18, Shaun Tait 1 for 27).

 

Pictures © Getty Images

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