Bad light robs Northerns

Kenya Select 342 (Obanda 76, Suji 76) and 196 for 9 (Suji 48, C Obuya 47*, D Obuya 32; S. Mwakayeni 5-42) drew with Northerns 234 (Chigumbura 69, Mufambisi 60, Raza Butt 34; Varaiya 4-49, Odhiambo 3-56, Luseno 2-61) and 303 for 9 (Chigumbura 79, Masvaure 50*, Varaiya 4-73)

The tie between Kenya Select and Northerns finished in a thrilling draw after bad light ended play six overs early with the Kenyans needing one wicket and Northerns two runs shy of chasing down a target of 305.

On a see-saw final day, Northerns seemed down and out at 206 for 6, but Elton Chigumbura, who was dropped twice on his way to 79, rallied the tail, and then Prince Masvaure, with a composed unbeaten 50, and No. 11 Cephas Zhuwawo added 23 to take Northerns to the brink of victory. But as the gloom enveloped the HSC, the umpires took the players off and it was the Kenyans who looked as if they had been let off the hook.

Kenya had been on top for much of the match. They took a first-innings lead of 108 thanks to a pair of 76s from Alex Obanda and Tony Suji and some good bowling from Hiren Varaiya, whose four wickets checked Northerns who slumped from 187 for 3 to 234 all out.

Second time round Kenya struggled as they looked to press home their advantage, Sam Mwakayeni's offspin blowing through the fragile middle order. They declared on their overnight 196 for 9 and an ask of over 300 appeared to be well beyond Northerns. As it was, it was to set up a thrilling finale.