The Battle of Cruiser Weights in cricket

In the 3rd match of the ICC cricket world cup, Zimbabwe was against Kenya, both teams were par at that time and it was looking like a cracker jack of a game. This game was played on The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, England on 15th May, 1999.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opts to bowl, so this means Kenya will bat first and set target for Zim to chase later.

This is how Zimbabwe team and 11 were looking like: Andy Flower (wk), Alistair Campbell (c), Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Guy Whittall, Paul Strang, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Whittall, Pommie Mbangwa, Murray Goodwin, Neil Johnson

And Kenya team and 11 were looking like: Steve Tikolo, Hitesh Modi, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Otieno (wk), Ravi Shah,Tony Suji, Jimmy Kamande, Martin Suji, Aasif Karim (c), Maurice Odumbe, Alpesh Vadher

Kenya started very well and was at 50 runs in no time and that to without losing any wickets. But they lost their 1^st wicket at the score of 62 runs in the form of captain K Otieno in 12.5 over’s. After that they lost 3 more wickets at the loss of 4 wickets on the team score of 87 runs in 20.4 over’s. Kenya ended the innings at 229 runs in 50 over’s at the loss of 7 wickets.

Zimbabwe needs to chase 230 runs in 50 over’s to win.

Zimbabwe batted wonderfully well and got 80 runs without the loss of any wickets. Zimbabwe lost their 1^st wicket on 81 runs in the form of grand flower in the 13.4 over’s and with the major contribution from N Johnson who made 59 runs in 70 balls with 7 4’s and 2 sixes at the strike rate of 84 runs in 100 balls and also of Paul strang, Murray Goodwin, Andy flower and Skipper A Campbell. Zimbabwe chased the target in 41 over’s at the loss of 5 wickets with 54 balls still remaining.

Neil Jonson was the man of the match for his fine knock as he provided stability to the Zimbabwe innings.

Picture owned by Google