Value of Sri Lanka A tour called into question after Kenyan collapse

The value of Sri Lanka A's tour of Kenya is being seriously called into question after another woeful performance by the home side on the first day of their three-day match at Ruakara Sports Club in Nairobi. At the close of play Sri Lanka A were 151 for five having bowled out Kenya for a miserable 68 runs in the morning session.

The Sri Lanka cricket board had hoped that the tour would be of benefit to Kenyan cricket. Ravin Wickramaratne, executive member of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), told AFP yesterday: "We really thought very seriously about Kenyan cricket. Since they haven't got the International Council Cricket (ICC) Test status, Sri Lanka has decided to support them in their efforts."

However, despite injuries to key players, there is understandable disappointment at the weak opposition so far provided by Kenya: "We really expected a lot more fight between the two teams but we comfortably managed to win in Mombassa."

This disappointment will only be heightened by the latest events. Sri Lanka A won the toss and elected to field first. The Kenyan batsmen struggled against the pace of Indika Gallage, Ravindra Puspakumara and Sujeewa Silva. They soon crumbled to 14 for three and were bowled out for just 68.

The highest partnership of the innings was just 14 runs for the ninth wicket and Ravindu Shah provided the only resistance. He batted throughout the innings for his unbeaten 37. Sujeewa Silva, the left arm swing bowler from Sebastianites, finished with three wickets for 25 runs, and Indika Gallage claimed five wickets for just 14 runs.

Kenya at least fought back with the ball, as Thomas Odoyo claimed three top order wickets. Sri Lanka A slipped to 85 for five before an unbeaten 66 run sixth wicket partnership between Jehan Mubarak and Prassana Jayawardene steadied the innings. Jehan Mubarak was once again in fine touch and is currently 69 not out.