Obuya hails Ouma effort

David Obuya © Getty Images

Man-of-the-match David Obuya could not hide his delight for Maurice Ouma after his fellow opener put his recent poor form behind him and played a starring role in Kenya's demolition of Bermuda.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Ouma headed into the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 competition in Nairobi under pressure after failing three times at the top of the order in the Mombasa tri-series earlier this month.

With the World Cup getting underway in the Caribbean in March, Ouma's displays have been a cause for concern, but an unbeaten 57 at the Jaffery Sports Club will certainly help his claim for a starting berth.

Ouma, along with Obuya, guided Kenya to 137 without loss in response to the Bermudans' 133 all out from 39.3 overs.

Obuya, who himself finished on 74 not out, said: "I feel much better, I feel happier. It's a good way to start the tournament.

"I've set the momentum but also I thank my team-mates because they've been doing a lot and giving me the support.

Maurice Ouma © Getty Images

"It's especially good for my opening partner because in Mombasa he didn't have a great tournament so it's nice to see him getting runs."

Next up for Kenya is the Netherlands at Gymkhana on Wednesday and, despite the large margin of victory against Bermuda, Obuya is taking nothing for granted.

"We are looking forward to that, but we are not getting carried away," he said.

"We are taking the tournament game by game because every day it's a different game, different atmosphere, different wicket, different people."

For Kenya, who saw off the challenges of Scotland and Canada to win the Mombasa tri-series, preparations for the World Cup 2007 could hardly be going more smoothly.

And reaching the final in Nairobi would be enough to guarantee the Africans a place at the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Championships, scheduled to begin in South Africa in September.

Obuya added: "We have been preparing well and we've been working very hard.

"The coach [Roger Harper] has been doing extra work, so now it's time to show it and we're looking forward to the World Cup."