England opener Ed Joyce scored 75 runs to help England
move into the Super Eights with a seven-wicket win over Kenya in a rain-affected
World Cup match.
Joyce, who made 66 against Canada last Sunday, combined
with Kevin Pietersen (56 not out) to eliminate the Africans with 10 overs
to spare and set up a first Super Eight match against Ireland in Guyana
next Friday.
England's Andrew Flintoff, back after being dropped
from the win over Canada because of a drinking scandal, had earlier grabbed
two wickets to help limit Kenya to 177 all out.
The match, which started two hours late, was reduced to 43
overs-a-side because of overnight rain but Kenya captain Steve Tikolo
sprung a surprise by electing to bat.
The decision looked to have backfired when a James Anderson
delivery kept low to bowl opener Shah for four in the fifth over.
Clever field placing from England then contributed to the downfalls of Maurice
Ouma and Tony Suji, who came into the side for opener David Obuya.
Another low delivery from Paul Collingwood undid Tanmay
Mishra, who chopped a cut on to the stumps for a duck taking the score to 74
for four.
A mix-up with Tikolo led to Collins Obuya being run out for
10 before all-rounder Flintoff trapped Thomas Odoyo lbw.
Flintoff nearly had two more wickets with another excellent
lbw shout and Tikolo being badly dropped by Joyce at mid-on before Jimmy Kamande
was bowled by Collingwood's slower ball.
Tikolo struck 76 before being yorked by Flintoff and two late
run outs wrapped up the innings.
Despite bowling out a side for the first time in this World
Cup, England's attack was again inconsistent and leaked 22 extras including
eight no balls.
England's run chase had a stuttering start with captain Michael
Vaughan out for one as he again struggled with his one-day form.
The 32-year-old, who has recovered from long standing knee
and hamstring problems, was surprised by some extra bounce and cut Peter Ongondo
to backward point where Collins Obuya took a superb diving catch.
England's nerves were then frayed by Ian Bell falling for 16
and Pietersen being dropped on seven by wicketkeeper Ouma off Hiren Varaiya's
first ball after drinks.
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