Wisden
World Cup 1999, third group A match

Kenya v Zimbabwe

At Taunton, May 15. Zimbabwe won by five wickets. Toss: Zimbabwe. International debut: J. K. Kamande.

Demoralised by two heavy defeats in warm-upgames, Zimbabwe could at last take heart from a comfortable victory. But they made life difficult for themselves early on: erratic bowling (25 wides) and jittery fielding allowed Kenya to reach 62 without loss before Johnson steadied Zimbabwean nerves with three wickets in five overs. Vadher then hit a battling fifty, his first in limited-overs internationals,and Odoyo a blistering 28 from 20 balls.

Defending a modest total on a small ground, the Kenyans fielded athletically - Tony Suji's diving catch at third man to remove Strang typified their approach - though nothing could compensate for the lack of a strike bowler. Johnson followed his career-best four for 42 with a brisk half-century, including a six into the gents' toilet. Afterwards,the umpires reported doubts about debutant seamer Jimmy Kamande's action.ICC eventually cleared him, but he missed Kenya's next three matches.

Man of the Match: N. C. Johnson. Attendance: 4,398.

© John Wisden & Co