Botha sinks Kenya

Andre Botha's three wickets undermined Kenya's pursuit of 149 to win the first ODI

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Ireland claimed first blood in the three-match Carnegie Cup one-day series against Kenya with a 33-run victory in Belfast.

The tourists were chasing just 149 to win, but four wickets from Johannesburg-born Andre Botha helped bowl them out for just 115.

The Irish did not make the most convincing of starts, openers Will Porterfield and Gary Wilson falling for four and five respectively to Peter Ongondo.

Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O'Brien's dismissal for 10 left the hosts 54 for four, but 35 from Alex Cusack and 25 from Andrew White helped them avoid an embarrassingly low total as they eventually reached 148 for nine in 50 overs.

Boyd Rankin then accounted for both Kenya openers, dismissing Kennedy Otieno for nine and Alex Obanda for 18.

Jimmy Kamande top-scored for the tourists with 33 before he became Botha's third victim.

The innings ended in the 39th over when Botha removed Ongondo first ball.

The second match of the series takes place tomorrow, again in Belfast.