Kenya's youngsters underline their potential

Kenya Select finally got some points on the board in the Logan Cup after two successive defeats, but they were unable to force a victory against Centrals at Kwekwe Sports Club. But it was the performance of three of their youngsters - Alex Obanda, Tanmay Mishra and Hiren Varaiya - which really stood out.

For the first time, Kenya had the better of a match, even though they conceded a first-innings lead. On the first morning they slid to 9 for 3 before Obanda and Mishra stopped the rot and then Collins Obuya struck his maiden first-class hundred.

Centrals reply was solid, with their top five all making starts, but the last three wickets produced 105 runs to give them a slender lead. Varaiya was the outstanding bowler, with 6 for 68 off 33.2 overs.

Kenya made a good start second time around, closing the third day on 145 for 3, Maurice Ouma's quickfire 67 leading the charge. Faced with a tough choice of pressing for victory by offering Centrals a chance to chase a target or batting out time, Kenya opted for the latter. Mishra made his second fifty of the match, but 19-year-old Obanda was the star, his 114 underlining his burgeoning reputation.

Centrals were left with an almost impossible target of making 282 from 42 overs, and once Nehemiah Odhiambo reduced them to 1 for 2, they decided to play out time.