HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec 8: Thundershowers and bad light caused the first of three one-day cricket internationals between Zimbabwe and Kenya to be abandoned on Sunday.

While play was possible during the morning at the Harare Sports Club, Kenya’s batsmen were generally stifled by a tight Zimbabwe attack and scored 211 all out at little more than four an over.

In reply Zimbabwe lost the wicket of captain Alistair Campbell, who was run out for only two runs, and the home side were 18-1 when the players were called off.

The match was later declared a “no result” leaving Zimbabwe unbeaten in eight years against their African near-neighbours but frustrated at a missed opportunity to recover from their recent 5-0 series hiding by Pakistan.

Kenya, who aspire to Test status, will be equally frustrated.

After winning the toss Kenya found themselves bogged down against opening seamer Travis Friend in particular. Friend’s seven overs cost him only 19 runs and he took two early wickets.

The tourists clearly missed their captain and best batsman Steve Tikolo, who was struck down by bronchitis.

Only Hitesh Modi made a half century and his 55 was backed up by 44 runs from Brijal Patil and Thomas Odoyo’s 37, but there was little other support.

The Kenya score would have been much lower if Patil and Odoyo had not put together a fifth wicket partnership of 69.

Douglas Marillier was Zimbabwe’s best bowler after Friend and he took three middle and lower order wickets, while Brian Murphy and Douglas Hondo captured two apiece.

Another batting misfortune for Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell left him unable to recapture the form that deserted him against Pakistan. And the remainder of the Zimbabwe batsmen were deprived of the opportunity to show their paces against modest opposition.

Afterwards the Kenya manager Mehmood Quaraishy said a score of 211 was “probably 30 to 40 short of what was needed to give Zimbabwe a challenging target.”

He felt “a little disappointed with the batting, especially in mid-order.”

Zimbabwe manager Babu Meman expressed disappointment that his batsmen did not get the chance to make good scores. But he was pleased with the overall bowling performance.

The Kenya tour moves to the Zimbabwe midlands town of Kwekwe on Wednesday, but the month of December is in the middle of the rainy season here and the potential for more bad weather is high.

Scoreboard

Kenya