Rippon's all-round show, Borren's fifty overwhelm Kenya

Netherlands 227 for 4 (Borren 86*, Rippon 56*, Shem Ngoche 2-47) beat Kenya 226 for 7 (Obuya 72, Gondaria 53, Rippon 3-30, van der Gugten 2-58) by six wickets

Michael Rippon coupled his three-for with an unbeaten half-century © Peter Della Penna

An unbroken fifth-wicket century stand, set up by fifties from Peter Borren and Michael Rippon, helped Netherlands cruise to a six-wicket victory at Buffalo Park, with seven balls remaining, after Kenya were restricted to 226 for 7 in their 50 overs.

While Borren, the Netherlands captain, had gone wicketless in the two economical overs he sent down, his returns with the bat were more impressive as he notched up his 12th List A half-century, clobbering eight fours en route to his 98-ball 86. Batting at No. 4, he took charge of the chase after the top three batsmen fell for scores in the twenties, with only 85 runs on the board. He put on 129 runs with Rippon, who added a 74-ball 56 not out to his bowling figures of 3 for 30.

Kenya’s troubles with the bat started early as they lost both their openers within seven overs of their innings for only 18 runs. Batting at No. 3, 22-year old Dhiren Gondaria, who amassed 53 off 60 balls, subsequently led a part of restoration work through an 81-run stand with captain Rakep Patel (29) at a steady rate of 5.40. The latter’s dismissal in the 22nd over, however, led to Kenya losing 3 for 18 in nearly nine overs, all three wickets falling to Rippon. Collins Obuya and Nelson Odhiambo arrested the slump, adding 95 runs for the sixth wicket. Nelson’s 39 abetted Obuya’s 77-ball 72 – peppered with two fours and four sixes – and shepherded Kenya past 200. Kenya were also buoyed by a late surge that saw them amass 51 runs in the last four overs.

Rippon’s left arm wristspin was ably complemented by medium-pacer Timm van der Gugten, whose two timely wickets – opener Alex Obanda and Nelson – further dented Kenya’s chances of posting a score in excess of 250.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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