Kenya draw with Ireland to earn three points

By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya’s tail-enders hung on to secure a draw on the final day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland at Eglinton.

Ireland, however, lead Kenya in the table standings since they had secured first innings six points. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) points system, an outright win has 14 points, first innings victory secures six points and a draw has three points. After the first round of the Intercontinental Cup series, Scotland have taken the lead with 20 points followed by Ireland with nine points. Kenya are third with three points while Canada, who are yet to collect a point, are fourth.

The outcome of the match between Ireland and Kenya must have been a shocker to the hosts, especially after they recorded a commanding 404-10 runs in their first innings.

Chasing a target of 298 after Ireland’s declaration, Kenya recovered from a top-order wobble to end on 245 for 8.Ireland resumed their second innings on the fourth morning with a lead of 212 and six wickets in hand.

They didn’t begin well, although, losing Alex Cusack, who was caught and bowled by Kennedy Otieno for no addition to his overnight score of 55.

Andrew White, however, carried on and steadily extended Ireland’s lead, scoring an unbeaten 59 and adding 52 runs for the sixth wicket with Gary Wilson, who made 38 off only 37 balls.

Ireland were pursuing quick runs to give themselves enough time to bowl Kenya out and eventually declared on 224 for 7. Ireland were boosted in their pursuit of 10 Kenyan wickets by Trent Johnston, who dismissed Seren Waters and David Obuya to reduce the visitors to 33 for 2. Kenya were rebuilding through Kennedy Otieno and Steve Tikolo before both batsmen fell with the score on 82, leaving Kenya with only six wickets in hand and two new batsmen at the crease.

Batsmen, Collins Obuya and Maurice Ouma, proved hard to dislodge, sharing a partnership of 105 for the sixth wicket. Obuya blunted the Ireland attack with a brisk innings, his 84 taking only 95 balls .