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Kenyans strike early

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Nehemiah Odhiambo celebrates after taking the wicket of Shane Watson

Australia made sure of a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after beating Kenya by 60 runs in a Group A match at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Sunday.

Michael Clarke (93) and the returning Mike Hussey (54) bailed the defending champions out of trouble to help set up a daunting 324-6, but Kenya defied Australia's much-vaunted fast bowling to finish with a respectable 264-6 even as they suffered their fifth straight defeat in the tournament.

- Scorecard

Earlier, Australia got off to a slow start, openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin taking time to adjust.

And just when it looked as if they had settled down, the Kenyans tasted their first success of the match as opener Shane Watson (21) nicked one to wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma while attempting a cut off Nehemia Odhiambo.

Watson hit three boundaries and a six in his 17-ball knock.

Kamande ends Ponting-Haddin stand

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Australia's Brad Haddin and Kenya's Alex Obanda nearly collide during a run-out attempt

Skipper Ricky Ponting came in and steadied the innings in a stand of 89 runs for the third wicket with Haddin.

- World Cup coverage

But Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande broke the partnership by having Haddin caught by Rakep Patel at deep midwicket.

Haddin, in an attempt to go over the ropes, was out for 65, including nine fours and a six, after facing 79 balls.

Kenyans get successful review of Ponting

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Ricky Ponting paddles fine for four past Maurice Ouma

The Aussies were 127 for 2 after Haddin's exit, and four runs and exactly an over later, their skipper headed back to the pavilion.

Ponting was adjudged leg-before wicket to Collins Obuya after a successful review by the Kenyans.

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Ponting, who scored a 54-ball 36, was rapped on the pad as he tried to work the ball on the leg side.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough adjudged him not out but the review showed that the ball would have hit middle and leg stump.

Clarke-Hussey frustrate the Kenyans

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Mike Hussey despatches one to the fence

Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey then frustrated the Kenyans in a 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the latter, playing his first match in the World Cup after replacing the injured Doug Bollinger, was caught by David Obuya while attempting to send Odhiambo over long-on.

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Hussey was out after scoring a 43-ball 53 that comprised four boundaries.

Clarke misses maiden World Cup ton

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Michael Clarke cover drives with wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma looking on

Clarke looked well set for his maiden World Cup and sixth ODI hundred as he picked the open spaces intelligently to get to 93.

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However, with the overs running out, he fell short by seven runs of the milestone when was caught by Rakep Patel at long on in the 49th over off the bowling off Odhiambo.

His 80-ball knock was studded with seven fours and a six.

Odhiambo Kenya's most successful bowler

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Nehemiah Odhiambo

Nehemiah Odhiambo was Kenya's most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 57, including those of Watson, Clarke and Hussey.

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Skipper Jimmy Kamande bagged two wickets for 46 runs, as the Aussies were restricted to 324 for 6 in their fifty overs.

Tait has Kenya reeling

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Shaun Tait smiles after bowling Alex Obanda

Shaun Tait got the early breakthrough for the Aussies, rattling Alex Obanda's stumps in his second over. The batsman, who had hit Tait for two sixes, one each over, was offered a full toss that was to be hit, but, attempting to send it over the leg side boundary, completely missed and looked behind to find his middle stump uprooted.

He was out for 14 off 10 deliveries.

Brett Lee had earlier dismissed the other opener, Maurice Ouma, in his first over. The batsman chased a ball swinging away from him and edged it into the safe hands of Haddin. Kenya were 12 for 1.

Collins Obuya and Mishra offer stubborn resistance

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Collins Obuya (L) congratulates Tammay Mishra on scoring 50

Soon after Obanda's dismissal, David Obuya was back in the pavilion with the score 46 for 3, in the tenth over. 

He was run-out after a misunderstanding with brother Collins.

At this stage it looked as if Australia would roun through the innings. However, Collins Obuya and Tanmay Mishra came up with dour resistance and battled whatever the Aussie bowlers hurled at them.

Clarke ends Mishra's fine knock

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Michael Clarke (C) is congratulated by Steve Smith (R) and Brad Haddin after running out Mishra

Together the pair put on 115 runs for the fourth wicket before Mishra was run-out soon after completing a fine fifty.

Obuya guided the ball towards backyard point and ran, only to find Michael Clarke swoop on the ball and hit the stumps with a direct hit at the striker's end. The 24-year-old India-born Mishra scored 72 off 88 balls, inclusive of eight fours and one six.

It is his highest score in ODIs.

Collins Obuya makes Aus toil

Last updated on: March 13, 2011 22:45 IST
Collins Obuya

After the departure of Mishra it was Collins Obuya who made life difficult for the Aussies. He picked Shane Watson for special treatment.

It was rather unfortunate that he was unable to get a hundred, finishing unbeaten with a career-beat 98.

His 129-ball innings was laced with nine fours and three sixes.

Tait was the pick of the Australian bowlers with two wickets, while Lee claimed for one.