England v Kenya

At Canterbury, May 18. England won by nine wickets. Toss: England.

The first international fixture on the St Lawrence Ground proved low-key, to England's relief. Their only hiccup on the way to an unruffled victory was a 100-run stand between Shah and Tikolo, who enhanced his reputation by thumping eight fours in his 71. But Gough returned to find Shah's inside edge, then castled Odumbe for his 100th one-day wicket. He was the third player to reach the mark for England, following Ian Botham and Phil DeFreitas. The only Kenyan to make any impression after that was Odoyo, already dubbed the African Botham, who hit one cracking six in his 34 not out, before bowling Stewart with a ball that held its line.

The atmosphere was muted by filthy weather: rain delayed the start, brought the players off after 20 overs of England's innings, and would have forced a reserve day if the Kenyans had not agreed to resume in thinner drizzle at 6.40 p. m. The finish would have been earlier had the umpires correctly interpreted the regulations allowing them to cut the interval. The remaining 106 runs took Hussain and Hick only 19 overs.

Man of the Match: S. O. Tikolo. Attendance: 9,643.