Cricket has always been a game of uncertainties and at times it becomes difficult to believe on the results of the some matches. The encounter between West Indies and Kenya in 1996 World Cup was one such memorable match. No one would have ever thought before the match that this game will gain a special place in the world cup history. Kenya stunned the mighty West Indies by 73 runs in a low scoring match.
The two times world champions, West Indies suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in world cup from an associate nation - Kenya. Had it been from any established test playing team it would not have gained much attention but for a team that had host of world-class performers - Brian Lara, Richie Richardson, Curtley Ambrose, Courtney Walsh etc the defeat was painful. While it was a big moment of celebration for Kenya, it was something that West Indies cricket would not like to remember. “I have no words right now,” said a dazed Richie Richardson, West Indies’ skipper at that time.
Match
West Indies won the toss and elected to field first. The decision was justified by West Indian bowlers as Kenya were bowled out for just 166. With a world class batting line-up, weak Kenyan bowling attack and low target, conditions were totally in favour of West Indies. However, destiny has planned something else for Kenya. West Indies inning started and first wicket came early with 18 on board. First to go was West Indian skipper Richardson followed by Sherwin Campbell, Lara and Arthurton in quick succession. West Indies were struggling at 35/4. Hopes were still alive as reliable Chanderpaul and Jimmy Adams were at the crease but it was the day of Kenyan bowlers led by Rajab Ali (3/17) and M Odumbe (3/15) who bowled out West Indian team for 93. The low score of 166 turned out to be a mammoth target for West Indies. It was a golden day in the history of Kenya Cricket.
A victory lap, led by Man of the Match Maurice Odumbe, ensued. “It’s like winning the World Cup. It’s a dream come true. The West Indies are our idols, and to beat an idol is a great thing,” said Odumbe after the celebrations had subsided.
KENYA
- D Chudasama c Lara b Walsh 8
- Tariq Iqbal c Cuffy b Walsh 6
- K Otieno c Adams b Walsh 2
- S Tikolo c Adams b Harper 29
- *M Odumbe hit wicket b Bishop 6
- H Modi c Adams b Ambrose 26
- M Suji c Lara b Harper 0
- T Odoyo st Adams b Harper 24
- E Odumbe b Cuffy 1
- Asif Karim c Adams b Ambrose 11
- Rajab Ali not out 6
- Extras (lb8, w16, nb13) 37
- Total (for , 49.3 overs) 166
- Fall: 1-15, 2-19, 3-45, 4-72, 5-77, 6-81, 7-125, 8-126, 9-155.
Bowling:
- Ambrose 8.3-3-21-2
- Walsh 9-0-46-3
- Bishop 10-2-30-1
- Cuffy 8-0-31-1
- Harper 10-4-15-3
- Arthurton 4-0-15-0
WEST INDIES
- S C Campbell b Suji 4
- *R B Richardson b Rajab Ali 5
- B C Lara c Tariq Iqbal b Rajab Ali 8
- S Chanderpaul c Tikalo b M Odumbe 19
- K J Arthurton run out 0
- J C Adams c Modi b M Odumbe 9
- R A Harper c Tariq Iqbal b M Odumbe 17
- I R Bishop not out 6
- C E L Ambrose run out 3
- C A Walsh c Chudasama b Asif Karim 4
- C E Cuffy b Rajab Ali 1
- Extras (b5, lb6, w4, nb2) 17
- Total (35.2 overs) 93
- Fall: 1-18, 2-22, 3-33, 4-35, 5-55, 6-65, 7-78, 8-81, 9-89
Bowling:
- Suji 7-2-16-1
- Rajab Ali 7.2-2-17-3
- Asif Karim 8-1-19-1
- M Odumbe 10-3-15-3
- Odoyo 3-0-15-0
Sahir/Cricketnmore