NAIROBI, Jan 29: Bermuda suffered the worst possible start to their World Cup preparations when they slumped to a 10-wicket defeat to Kenya in the opening match of the ICC World Cricket League on Monday.
It took an unbroken first wicket partnership of Maurice Ouma and David Obuya to see the hosts and pre-tournament favourites past the target set by Bermuda who were bowled out for 133 after being put in to bat.
The opening Kenyan pair was ruthless as they hit the Bermudian bowlers all over the pitch with a flurry of runs to bring the match to an early close.
Ouma, who scored 56 off 51 balls, reached his maiden half-century with a single run off teenager Malachi Jones while Obuya thrashed a six and 12 boundaries for his 75 off 57 balls.
Earlier, medium fast-bowler Peter Ongondo ripped apart the Bermudian top order when he took three quick wickets for 23 runs to set up the Kenyan victory. His victims included skipper Irving Romaine, Saleem Mukuddem and David Hemp leaving the tourists struggling at 44 for four.
Scoreboard
BERMUDA:
C.J. Smith lbw b Odoyo 0
D.A. Minors c and b Tikolo 52
I.H. Romaine c Mishra b Ongondo 6
S. Mukuddem c Shah b Ongondo 8
D.L. Hemp c Ouma b Ongondo 4
J.J. Tucker lbw Varaiya 17
D.C. Borden run out 0
L.O. Cann lbw b Varaiya 9
M. Jones b Tikolo 3
D.M. Leverock not out 3
K. Hurdle c Tikolo b Onyango 23
EXTRAS (LB-2, W-5, NB-1) 8
TOTAL (all out, 39.3 overs) 133
FALL OF WKTS: 1-0, 2-19, 3-36, 4-44, 5-94, 6-95, 7-104, 8-104, 9-108.