ten Doeschate gives Dutch flying start

Netherlands 326 for 7 (ten Doeschate 158) v Kenya
Scorecard

Ryan ten Doeschate walks off at tea with Daan van Bunge. ten Doeschate made 158 as Netherlands enjoyed the better of the first day © David Waters / Cricinfo

Netherlands took a firm grip on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya at Nairobi Gymkhana. At the close they had scored 326 for 7, with a superb 158 from Ryan ten Doeschate forming the foundation of their innings on an easy-paced pitch.

Netherlands, who won the toss, suffered an early loss when Rajesh Bhudia bowled Tom de Grooth offering no stroke, but ten Doeschate immediately signaled his intent by cracking three fours off Thomas Odoyo.

Odoyo got his revenge when Bas Zuiderent was caught by Rahul Bhudia off a skied hook, but that brought in Tim de Leede, who had made a good hundred against Kenya A on Sunday, and he attacked from the off. A savage pull early in his innings was dropped by Hitesh Modi, who immediately left the field with a broken finger which is likely to rule him out of the remainder of the game.

ten Doeschate completed a chanceless century in an afternoon session dominated by Netherlands, bring up his maiden first-class hundred with a four and a straight six off Steve Tikolo. The only setback came when de Leede gave a straightforward return catch to Brijal Patel.

Daan van Bunge (32) helped ten Doeschate add 130 for the fourth wicket either side of tea, but he never looked at all settled and was finally caught behind by Maurice Ouma of the bowling of Ashish Karia. At 261 for 3, Netherlands were in the driving seat, but in the final 90 minutes the Kenyans fought their back into the game.

Karia eventually snared ten Doeschate when he drove tiredly to Tikolo at extra cover. He had batted for almost five hours and hit four sixes and 15 fours. Alexei Kervezee was unfortunately run out when Luuk van Troost's straight drive was deflected into the stumps by Tikolo at the non-striker's end. Kenya's final success came when Peter Ongondo removed Darron Reekers with the new ball shortly before the close.