Ireland in control but Waters shows class

Kenya 186 (Tikolo 44, Odoyo 32, McCallan 4-52, West 4-67) and 146 for 2 (Waters 65*, Tikolo 41*) trail Ireland 578 for 4 dec by 246 runs
Scorecard

Ireland need a further eight Kenya wickets in order to reach the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, after dismissing the hosts for just 186 in their first innings. Following on, Kenya put up a much better fight, with Seren Waters - their classy 18-year-old debutant - remaining unbeaten on 65, but they still trail by 246.

Kenya are by no means out of the contest, or the final, just yet. A draw will earn them their spot against Namibia in South Africa, though much depends on both Waters and Steve Tikolo - the youngest and eldest of the team. And judging by their first-innings effort, Kenya's batsmen are thoroughly up against it.

Kyle McCallan and Regan West took four wickets apiece as Kenya were rolled for 186. In the face of Ireland's huge first-innings total of 578 for 4 declared, Kenya's batsmen had no answer and as the pitch offered some turn for the slow bowlers, McCallan and West combined excellently.

Only Tikolo (44) and Thomas Odoyo (32) looked like causing Ireland any trouble, and it was no surprise when Kenya were invited to follow on. It appeared Kenya might crumble again, when Trent Johnston made a double breakthrough to leave the home side on 76 for 2. But Tikolo and Waters dug in with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 70. Waters, in particular, was quick to dispatch anything short - Boyd Rankin was smacked for four fours in an over - and showed the benefit of using soft hands against the spinners.