Bengaluru, March 13: Australia continued their unbeaten run at the 2011 ICC World Cup by defeating Kenya in a Group A encounter at the M Chinnanswamy Stadium in Bengaluru today.The defending World Champions, with three consecutive title wins under their belt, beat their opponents by 60 runs in a day/night game.
Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their total of 324 was set up by some good contributions by opener Brad Haddin (65), No. 4 batsman Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey (54 off 43 balls) coming in at No. 6. Ricky Ponting (36) played an important role in the innings as well. Pacer Nehemiah Odhiambo was the pick of the Kenya bowlers taking three wickets for 57 runs from his 10 overs.
Kenya did not have the best of starts to their run chase – they lost three wickets with the score at 46 even before the tenth over had been completed. But a steady 115-run partnership between Collins Obuya and Tanmay Mishra (72) prevented the side from imploding.
Despite that partnership and the subsequent 86-run one between Obuya and Thomas Odoyo (35), Australia never let Kenya get anywhere near the required run-rate. As a result, even though Obuya remained unbeaten on 98, it was Australia who triumphed on the night as they limited Kenya to a score of 264, 60 runs short of the victory target.
Australia now remain the only unbeaten side in the 2011 ICC World Cup. They are placed third in Group A with seven points from four games. Kenya, who have not won even one of their five games in the tournament so far, are placed right at the bottom of the same group.
Brief scores: Australia 324 for 6 in 50 overs (Michael Clarke 93, Brad Haddin 65, Mike Hussey 54, Nehemiah Odhiambo 3/57) beat Kenya 264 for 6 in 50 overs (Collins Obuya 98*, Tanmay Mishra 72, Shaun Tait 2/49) by 60 runs
Man-of-the-match: Collins Obuya for his unbeaten 98 that gave Kenya a fighting chance of winning the game
