Crunch match looms between lesser African rivals

Kenya's best chance of reaching an astounding semi-final slot in the World Cup almost certainly rests in their Super Six match against Zimbabwe, a team they have never beaten, at Bloemfontein. Implausible though it may still seem, a win tomorrow would see the Kenyans through to the last four, regardless of whether they can achieve an upset of volcanic proportions in their final Super Six game against Australia.

Past form makes Zimbabwe red-hot favourites - they have won 12 out of 14, with two washed out - but misfortune with injuries has hampered them, most recently against New Zealand when Brian Murphy was unable to deliver a ball after injuring a calf muscle in the nets. Neither he nor Mark Vermeulen, who suffered another net injury, a hairline fracture of the skull, will take any further part in the tournament. Their places in the squad have gone to Stuart Matsikenyeri and former captain Alistair Campbell, whose omission from the original 15 surprised many.

Zimbabwe's progress thus far has been achieved without a win over significant opposition. Their points are from wins over Namibia and the Netherlands, a forfeit from England and a washout with Pakistan. Beaten by New Zealand on Saturday, they desperately need a win. And Kenya's former captain Maurice Odumbe, who has found timely form with bat and ball, believes now is the time to draw first blood.

"They have had the better of us over the years, although we have come close to beating them," Odumbe said. "But there's a new confidence in our team these days. We're playing good cricket at the moment, and we're enjoying it."

Kenya made their first international splash in the 1996 World Cup, beating the West Indies, but unlike Bangladesh, whose victory over Pakistan three years later catapulted them prematurely into the Test arena, Kenya are still waiting. Their Group B win over Bangladesh was a succinct statement on the situation, while to defeat Sri Lanka as well was an outstanding result. Add to that the New Zealand forfeit, and Kenya remain in third place despite losing to India last Friday.

"We've been criticised that we're not supposed to be in the Super Sixes," Odumbe said. "In any World Cup you want to see surprises, and that's just what we have delivered. But it seems some people are still not happy. We deserve to be here. We didn't ask New Zealand not to come to Kenya. Who knows, maybe we could also have beaten them?"

Odumbe is confident of overcoming a thigh strain by tomorrow, and is looking to current captain Steve Tikolo and Ravindu Shah for telling contributions. "Steve is due for a good score, and Ravindu should also enjoy himself here," Odumbe added.

One man Kenya will not want to see in the Zimbabwe line-up is fast bowler Henry Olonga, who took six for 28 in their last encounter in Bulawayo in December. Olonga has played in just one World Cup match so far, against Namibia, in which he and Andy Flower wore black armbands as a protest at human rights abuses in their country. Olonga bowled just three overs and was then dropped.

"I had a great game against Kenya last time and I'd love to have another crack at them," Olonga said today. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity of playing against them again, but it's not up to me. I've done a lot of fielding (as 12th man) but I'm very fresh, there's plenty of energy left in these legs."

Flower, who has retained his place in the team despite the protest, is still troubled by a groin strain but is unlikely to sit out such an important match. If Zimbabwe win tomorrow, they still have a chance of reaching the semi-finals, depending on other results and whether they can beat Sri Lanka in East London on Saturday.