Rain ruins Bermuda's ICC Intercontinental Cup chances in Kenya
Day 4 Kenya 205 drew with Bermuda 133 & 19 for 2 The rain that fell heavily in Nairobi over the past few days has washed away any chance that Bermuda had of making it through to the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2006. From the four-day game Bermuda gleaned just three points when it really needed 20 and now it lies an impossible 37 points adrift of Group B leaders Canada. And although Kenya won the first innings at the Gymkhana Cricket Club, the African side was already out of contention and having played its three games in the competition it finishes on nine points so cannot trouble the group leaders.
The only team that can now move ahead of Canada is the Netherlands. If it wins its two remaining games outright (against Bermuda on November 21-24 and against Canada on December 5-8, both in Pretoria, South Africa) it will top the group. Otherwise it will be Canada which will play the winners of Group A in the final, at a time and venue to be determined. Bermuda had been in trouble when the rains came on Monday. Having been bowled out for just 133 in the first innings, it was struggling at 19 for 2 when the heavens opened, still 52 runs behind Kenya's first innings score of 205.
For the Bermudans, it was a case of some of its batsmen getting starts but none being able to kick on once they got established. Having chosen to bat, it lost early wickets. Clay Smith got to 25 before he was caught behind and later Dean Minors scored 28 before Thomas Odoyo trapped him lbw. Indeed, right-arm fast bowler Odoyo was the pick of the Kenyan attack, ending up with figures of 5-21 off 11 overs including four maidens.
Having been dismissed for 133, Bermuda's players knew they were up against it and despite getting a couple of early wickets, it didn't take long for Kenya to pass that total and secure first innings points. Steve Tikolo (66) and Tanmay Mishra (54) did most of the damage, putting on 89 for the fourth wicket to ease the home team past Bermuda's score. But after that, the Bermudan bowlers got their side back into contention and dismissed the last six batsmen for just 41 runs.
On the second day, Bermuda got to 19 for 2 when weather turned and no further play was possible for the rest of the match, handing control of Group B to Canada which sits on a maximum of 40 points after two matches. After two years of playing the ICC Intercontinental Cup on a regional basis for the group stages, this year's tournament is being played in two groups involving matches outside teams' immediate area. In Group A, 2004 champions Scotland sits on top, closely followed by defending champions Ireland with one game remaining for both, away to UAE. The Scots and Irish both registered convincing outright wins over Namibia earlier in the competition.
Remaining fixtures Group B
November 21-24, Netherlands v Bermuda, LC de Villiers Oval, Pretoria
December 5-8, Netherlands v Canada, Sinnoville, Pretoria
Group A
December 8-11, Namibia v UAE, Windhoek
January 11-14, UAE v Scotland, Sharjah
February 10-13, UAE v Ireland, Abu Dhabi Final - TBC