After the intense drama of the last two days it’s not going to be a must watch for most people, as Associates Kenya and Canada meet.
It sounds like a very negative thing to say but the case for allowing ICC Associates to join at World Cups has been weakened significantly by these two teams. While the heroics of Ireland and Holland (nearly in Group B) have offered much entertainment and given a big heads – up to those who feel that there is no place for non members, the woeful performances seen from these two have weakened it.
Canada, for all they were listless against Sri Lanka and also Zimbabawe (an opponent they should have made a better fight of it against) their spinners did manage to restrict Pakistan’s mighty middle order to just 184, with Baidwan, Cheema, Rao and Hansra all taking 2 or more wickets while Choahn had an economy rate of just 2.85. Though Canada's batsmen stuttered while chasing a low score, they showed a lot of character in the 46-run defeat.
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| David and Collins Obuya have handled themselves well with the bat so far |
Kenya also showed plenty against Pakistan too, having them at 12-2 at one stage before Akamal , Kha and Ul – Haq got them out of trouble. There’s definitely talent in the ranks, headed by the excellent Thomas Odoyo, who had 43-3 against Pakistan. Odoyo has played in all four World Cups that Kenya has featured in, and was instrumental in the 2003 World Cup, where he troubled the Canadians with his bowling in the fixture then, ending with figures of 4 for 28.
There’s the erratic but also talented Eljiah Oteno, who will have a bigger margin for error here than against Pakistan and Sri Lanka with his bowling. Odhiambo was Kenya’s best bowler in the two warm-up matches where he picked up six wickets but he’s been smashed in the two games and needs to pick up for a side that has become entirely reliant on bowling apart from Seren Waters and Collins Obuya, who can fancy themselves for a run or two.
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| Jimmy Hansra - Can get a decent knock on the board |
As far as Candaian team talent goes, the most notable name was IPL auction contender Rizwan Cheema, who has given two decent knocks but has only made 55 runs overall. If he can get in and stick around with the bat, Kenya will have a problem on their hands.
Jimmy Hansra has made 71 in three matches and given how he managed to make 43 against Pakitan he’ll fancy his chances here of getting another good knock in on the board, and the same can be said for Zubin Zukari, who’s got 58 to his name.
In a game between the two weakest sides in the tournament, Kenya are taken to win what may well turn into a battle of the bowlers - there is only 15 runs difference between the two sides based on their innings in this tournament - Kenya are taken to come out on top, based on their more versatile bowling, assuming they can keep the extras down.
Advice
2 pts Kenya to beat Canada (5/6 Sportingbet, Betfred)
1 pt Collins Obuya to make more than 27.5 runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)
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