By Adrian Jackson

IT’S victory number five. Yesterday, double-crown defending champions Barbados made it five consecutive wins for the 2004 Carib Beer Cricket Series when they defeated Kenya by six wickets at the Windward Cricket Club at Lucas Street, St. Philip.

Set a victory target of 153 runs from a minimum of 58 overs, Barbados completed the task with overs to spare.

Led from the front by an aggressive knock from Martin Nurse of 77 runs from 73 deliveries, Barbados took the battle to the Kenyans on the final day of the four-day match. Captain Steve Tikolo finished unbeaten with 76 runs as Kenya was bowled out for 202 runs. Man of the match Tino Best claimed his third five-wicket haul for the season with figures of five for 54.

Kenya resumed the day on 129 for the loss of six, with captain Steve Tikolo and Collins Obuya at the wicket.

Obuya was the more dominant of the two batsmen, as the pair added 79 runs for the seventh wicket before Obuya was trapped leg before wicket to Antonio Mayers for a well played innings of 40 runs. Kenya was then 192 for the loss of seven.

Martin Suji was the next batsman to the crease. His stay was short; out just before lunch after he guided a delivery from left-arm pacer Pedro Collins to Shawn Graham in the gully, putting Kenya at 201 for the loss of eight.

After lunch, Kenya quickly lost the wicket of Peter Ongondo, after there was a misunderstanding between Ongondo and Tikolo, which resulted in Ongondo having to sacrifice his wicket for the team.

Tikolo, who had played the ball to Martin Nurse who was fielding at the long-on region, pushed for the second run, while Ongondo seemed to be contented with the single. Both batsmen ended at the same end of the pitch and Ongonda made the decision to run towards the danger end. This put Kenya at 202 for the loss of nine.

Collins wrapped up Kenya’s innings when he had Lemeck Oyando caught behind by wicket-keeper Browne for a duck., Tikolo finished unbeaten with 76 runs. Kenya, all out for 202, set Barbados a victory target of 153 runs to win from a minimum of 58 overs.

Barbados opened their innings with Martin Nurse and Sherwin Campbell. Nurse signalled his aggression when he placed a delivery from fast bowler Peter Ongondo to the backward square-leg boundary, one bounce for four runs.

Nurse then followed the next over with a huge six over long-on, off the bowling of Lemeck Oyando. From there, it was evident that Nurse was not contented to spend the whole evening chasing the target of 153 runs.

Compliments of the The Barbados Advocate

Caribbean Cricket

Sporting islands

Lara: WI in good spirits for England trip
Web Posted - Thu Jun 10 2004
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Brian Lara said yesterday he is rejuvenated and excited to take on England and New Zealand, days after threatening to resign as West Indies captain because of poor play against Bangladesh in the first test.
The West Indies rallied in the second test against Bangladesh for a huge victory by an innings and 99 runs last week, turning the team’s spirits around in time for the England matches next week, he wrote in his regular column that appears in the Trinidad Guardian. Read more

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