Bowlers, Mishra give Kenya comfortable win

Kenya 201 (Mishra 70*, Patel 42*) beat Ireland 200 (Stirling 46, Obuya 3-24)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Regular strikes from Kenya's bowlers restricted Ireland to 200, and then Tanmay Mishra's unbeaten 70 off 76 balls ensured Kenya had little trouble chasing the below-par total of 200, in the first of two ODIs in Mombasa.

Ireland got off to a fast start after choosing to bat, thanks to the aggressive Paul Stirling, who struck six fours and a six in his 46 off 44 balls. Ireland had got to 74 for 1 in the 13th over when Stirling hit left-arm spinner Shem Ngoche straight into the hands of deep midwicket. Shem's brother James Ngoche, an offspinner, then bowled Ed Joyce for 3, and when Alex Cusack was caught at long-on off Shem's bowling Ireland were stuttering.

Gary Wilson and Kevin O'Brien began repairing the damage, but their 45-run partnership took 14.5 overs. Just when they might have wanted to kick on, Wilson was dismissed caught-and-bowled by Rakep Patel. O'Brien became the first of captain Collins Obuya's three victims, and, apart from John Mooney's quick 21, there were no significant contributions from the lower order. Ireland did not even manage to bat out the 50 overs, their innings ending in the 48th when George Dockrell was caught at mid-on off James Ngoche.

Kenya started slowly in the chase, but the required-rate never rose above five. Mishra and Obuya put on 58 for the third wicket to set a solid base, and then Rakep Patel stayed with Mishra till the end.

Mishra hit six fours, and collected runs well in his innings, while Patel struck a couple of big blows in his 42 not out off 53 balls. Kenya got home in the 43rd over with seven wickets in hand.