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Johnson proves too much for Kenya

Neil Johnson took four wickets and scored 59 runs as Zimbabwe defeated Kenya by five wickets with nine overs to spare in an all-African World Cup Group A clash at the Somerset county cricket ground at Taunton today.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field. They restricted the Kenyans to 229 for seven with all-rounder Johnson claiming four wickets for 42 runs off 10 overs.

The 29-year-old former Leicestershire player then opened the innings and belted 59 off 70 balls, sharing an 81-run opening partnership with Grant Flower (20) in 14 overs. He was caught off Thomas Odoyo's bowling.

Paul Strang, promoted to number 3 as a pinch-hitter, scored 29 off 21 balls before he was out to a brilliant catch by Tony Suji at third man, again off Odoyo's bowling.

Zimbabwe were coasting at 119 for one, but lost three quick wickets to slump to 147 for four in the 25th over.

But captains past and present, Andy Flower and Alistair Campbell, respectively, steered Zimbabwe into a winning position. Flower was out for 34 with the score on 217 for five. Campbell remained unbeaten on 33 when his team overhauled the target in the 41st over and finished with 231 for five.

For Kenya, Martin and Tony Suji became the first brothers to open the bowling in a World Cup match. Martin Suji, who played in Kenya's first World Cup match against India in 1996, has played for The Transvaal in South Africa. Tony, however, had played just eight internationals going into the tournament.

Earlier, Kenya raced to 62 without loss in the 15th over before Johnson struck three quick blows, sending them reeling to 87 for four in the 21st over.

Johnson's first wicket was Kennedy Otieno, who cut straight to Grant Flower at point and was out for 16. He then dismissed Kenya's leading batsman Steve Tikolo, caught behind by Andy Flower for 9, and then bowled Hitesh Modi for 7.

Opener Ravindu Shah scored 37 before he skied an attempted drive off Andrew Whittall to Paul Strang.

But Kenya fought back when Maurice Odumbe and Alpesh Vadher (54 off 90 balls) combined for an 84-run fifth-wicket stand.

Thomas Odoyo blazed 28 from 20 balls before he become Johnson's fourth wicket in the 48th over. Skipper Aasif Karim finished unbeaten on 19 off as many balls.

AP

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