Kenya make Australia work

Hussey hits half-century; Obuya ends up just short of deserved ton

Last updated: 13th March 2011  

Tanmay Mishra Australia v Kenya

Mishra: made 72 in Kenya's plucky reply

Collins Obuya Australia v Kenya

Collins Obuya: just missed out on a deserved century

michael clarke 93 australia vs kenya

Clarke: top-scored for Australia with 93

Michael Hussey Australia vs Kenya

Hussey: marked his return with a quick half-century

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Australia booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 60-run win over Kenya - but the reigning champions didn't have it all their own way against the plucky minnows in Bangalore.

Having decided to bat first after winning the toss, Australia were coasting along before losing three wickets for just 16 runs to slip to 143-4.

However, Michael Clarke (93) and the recalled Michael Hussey, who made 54 off just 43 deliveries, got the innings back on track with a 114-run stand.

In the end their final total of 324-6 proved far too big for Kenya to chase down, despite a defiant knock of 98 not out by Collins Obuya.

Impressive effort

The all-rounder's innings saw his side through to 264-6 at the end of their 50 overs, an impressive effort considering they had not managed more than 199 in their four previous games - all defeats - in the tournament.

They had been in early trouble too, after Brett Lee and Shaun Tait dismissed openers Maurice Ouma and Alex Obanda cheaply.

A horrible mix-up between Obuya brothers David and Collins saw the former run out for 12, though Australia's serene progress soon hit rocky ground.

Tanmay Mishra hit eight boundaries and a six, combining with Collins Obuya to put on a 115-run stand for the fifth wicket, before he too was needlessly run out.

Obuya continued to fight to the end, though, and his ninth four (he also managed three sixes) left him on 96 with an over to go. However, after waiting three balls to get the strike, he was unable to get the four runs he needed to bring up his ton, a single off the last delivery leaving him agonisingly short.

Australia will be glad to have been given a bit of a work-out in the field having earlier been forced to battle hard with the bat to build a big total.

Mini collapse

Brad Haddin (65) had given them a solid start despite the loss of opening partner Shane Watson for 21. Skipper Ricky Ponting (36) helped add 89 before Kenya's spinners caused a mini collapse.

Haddin was caught at deep mid-wicket off Jimmy Kamande and Ponting was adjudged lbw to the leg spin of Collins Obuya after Kenya called for a review.

When Cameron White was bowled for two by off-spinner Kamande, Australia were wobbling slightly.

But Hussey - drafted back into the team at the expense of his brother, David, and Clarke steadied the innings to take them past 200 in exactly 36 overs.

Nehemiah Odhiambo (3-57) eventually removed both men in the closing overs before Steve Smith (17 not out) and Mitchell Johnson (12 no) added a quick 20 inside the last two overs.

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