GROS ISLET, March 21: Kenya captain Steve Tikolo was unhappy over his side being forced to bat on in persistent rain during their Group C defeat by New Zealand on Tuesday.

His batsmen went off twice for rain and although the game resumed quickly both times, the 35-year-old felt the umpires took too long in suspending play with New Zealand cruising in on a 148-run victory and Super Eight qualification.

“I thought we should have come off. But I don't want to get into controversies,” he said.

Tensions were high in the middle because of the controversy, especially as New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming bowled part-timer Craig McMillan to rush through his overs and get to the 20 overs required to constitute a match.

In turn, the Kenyans took time going back and forth to the dressing room during the rain and were generally slow with their innings in a bid to frustrate the Kiwis and to boost their net run rate in case it is needed for deciding group positions.

“The pace of the game slowed down. For one reason or another there was a bit of gamesmanship,” Fleming said.—Reuters