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DURBAN, March 15: Australia, inspired by a Brett Lee hat trick, survived a mid-innings scare to see off a spirited Kenya by five wickets in their World Cup Super Six day-night match on Saturday.
Lee took three wickets without conceding a run at the start of the match as the world champions extended their record winning streak to 15 matches.
There was a scare, however, as Kenya’s spinners snapped up four wickets for eight runs as the Australians, chasing 174 for eight, slumped to 117 for five.
Australia got home in 31.2 overs. Both teams had already qualified for the semifinals, with Australia to play Sri Lanka and Kenya to take on India.
Left-arm spinner Asif Karim, aged 39 and who has also represented Kenya at tennis, matched Lee with three wickets without a run and finished with three for seven of 8.2 overs, including six maidens.
Adam Gilchrist set Australia on their way with a 43-ball 67.
KENYA 174-8 in 50 overs.
AUSTRALIA:
A.C. Gilchrist c D.Obuya b Ongondo 67
M.L. Hayden c sub b Ongondo 20
R.T. Ponting lbw b Asif 18
A. Symonds not out 33
D.S. Lehmann c D.Obuya b Asif 2
G.B. Hogg c and b Asif 0
I.J. Harvey not out 28
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-1, W-4, NB-1) 10
TOTAL (for five wkts, 31.2 overs) 178
FALL OF WKTS: 1-50, 2-98, 3-109, 4-117, 5-117.
DID NOT BAT: D.R. Martyn, A.J. Bichel, B. Lee, G.D. McGrath.
BOWLING: M.A. Suji 3-0-36-0; Ongondo 10-0-44-2 (1nb, 2w); A.O. Suji 2-0-24-0 (1w); C.O. Obuya 8-0-62-0; Asif Karim 8.2-6-7-3.
RESULT: Australia won by five wickets.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Asif Karim.
—Reuters
