Qasim century puts Scotland in command

• Hosts Kenya have mountain to climb as Varaiya, Rakep seek to steady ship

Qasim Sheikh knocked a century for Scotland to put them in command as Kenya trailed by 185 runs at stumps in the second day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup at the Nairobi Gymkhana on Tuesday.

The third day began with the scoreboard showing Scotland (306 all out in 116.1 overs) and Kenya (91 all out in 49.1 overs & 30 for 1 in 18 overs).

Sheikh was Scotland’s highest runs getter with 108, which came off 228 deliveries with 19 boundaries. He shared a fourth wicket partnership of 102 with Richie Berrington (80) that pushed the score from 106 to 208.

It was the best partnership for the side and was broken when Steve Tikolo trapped Sheikh leg before wicket. Other batsmen who got meaningful runs for the Scots were Ross Lyons (23) and Douglas Lockhart 22.

Will resume batting

Nehemiah Odhiambo was the highest wicket taker for Kenya with three for 60. He was supported by Jimmy Kamande (2-31), Elijah Otieno (2-46), Hiren Varaiya (1-38) and Steve Tikolo (1-45). The tenth wicket for Kenya was a run out through Jimmy Kamande who dismissed Simon Smith for a golden duck.

Kenya started their second innings on a promising note with the open pair of Seren Waters (12) and Rakep Patel (16 not out) putting up a concerted fight but their efforts were frustrated by Dewald Nel, who broke their partnership by trapping Waters leg before wicket.

The duo put on an opening stand of 24 which was an improvement from the first innings partnership of nine between Waters and Morris Ouma. Rakep, who is one of the dependable batsmen in the side, will resume batting this morning and will share the crease with Hiren Varaiya with unbeaten one run.

Avoid humiliating defeat

The home boys have to fight tooth and nail today to avoid a humiliating innings defeat.

Meanwhile, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has resigned from his post just days before the Proteas leave for a tour of India.

The 41-year-old has been in charge of the South Africa national team since May 2005 and his shock resignation on Tuesday has forced the Proteas to install Corrie van Zyl as interim coach for the two-test and three one-day international tour.

Van Zyl, who was assistant national coach from 1998-2003, is currently at the helm of South Africa’s High Performance Centre but will take charge of the senior side in the lead up to the first test in Nagpur starting on Feb. 6

“The timing is very unfortunate with an exciting two-test tour of India coming up but the international cricket calendar these days means that there is never a good time,” Arthur told Reuters on Tuesday.