Kenyan-born batsman stars for UK side in Nairobi

Seren Waters (centre) and Rakep Patel (right) in Kongonis colours during a past match. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Waters’ 77 came off 60 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes. Waters was also his team’s highest runs getter.
  • The visitors will face Kenya Select XI on Saturday at Sikh Union ground in what is expected to be a closely contested match.

Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) opening batsman Kenya-born Seren Waters knocked half a century as the tourists beat Kongonis by 18 runs at Nairobi Club on Friday.

Waters’ 77 came off 60 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes. Waters was also his team’s highest runs getter.

Put in to bat first, MCC set a target of 217 by the time al their batsman were sent back to the pavilion. The game was reduced to 30 overs and it kicked off in the afternoon.

Jonty Jenner and Will Phillips scored 33 runs apiece. Tom Lace (31) was the other batsman who did well with the bat.

Eugene Ochieng was MCC’s executioner taking four wickets for 46. Shem Ngoche (2/57), Martin Mworia (2/27) and Elijah Otieno (2/26) were the other wicket-takers.

In reply, Kongonis scored 198 with two wickets in hand by the time they completed their overs. Alex Obanda top-scored for Kongonis with 62 that came off 44 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes.

Ngoche shone with the ball as well knocking 58 off 50 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

Obanda and Ngoche shared a third wicket stand of 116. The two were steering their side towards victory but when both of them were dismissed, the run rate dropped tremendously. Eugene Ochieng (23), Johan Bakens (17) and Jarred Dale (12) were the only other batsmen who posted double digit figures for their side.

The wickets of MCC were shared among Jenner (2/35), James Scott (2/17). Jack Williams (2/36) and Waters (1/12). There was one run out.

The visitors will face Kenya Select XI on Saturday at Sikh Union ground in what is expected to be a closely contested match.

Kenya national team coach, Maurice Odumbe, is expected to feature his charges as part of their preparation for the forthcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division Three set for Oman in November.