Kiwi pacers bowl out Kenya for 69 runs

CHENNAI - Young fast bowler Hamish Bennett’s blistering spell of four wickets in 10 deliveries saw New Zealand bundling out Kenya for just 69 runs in 23.5 overs in a Group A match of the ICC Cricket World Cup here Sunday.

The 23-year old Bennett, who made his international debut last year, may not make for a pretty sight with his open-chested action, but he generated good pace and bounce to flummox the Kenyan batsmen none of whom looked comfortable at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Jacob Oram and Tim Southee picked up three wickets each. Oram got his three wickets in 17 balls while Southee completed the annihilation in his second spell with a double strike that left him on a hat-trick. But Oram picked up the last wicket of Elijah Otieno that robbed Southee of a chance to get the feat.

The Kiwis opted for a pace-spin attack with the new ball. Nathan McCullum with his fastish off-breaks and seamer Tim Southee kept the Kenyan openers, Seren Waters (16) and Alex Obanda (6) on a short leash.

So much so that the Kenyan openers struggled to put the ball away and desperation led to the dismissal of Obanda who was trapped in front and had the batsman opted for a referral, he might have stayed on as replays indicated the ball missing the stumps.

The dismissal opened the doors for the Kiwis to achieve further inroads as Bennetts introduction triggered a rash of wickets and Kenya stumbled, staggered and then fell.

Collins Obuya (14) and Rakep Patel (16 not out) were the other two players who could get to double figures.