BBC SPORT | Cricket | Kenya's greatest moment

February 29 1996 is a date never to be forgotten in the history of Kenyan cricket.

A century after the game was first played in Mombasa, Maurice Odumbe's side astonished the cricketing world by humiliating the mighty West Indies at the World Cup in India and Pakistan.

The Nehru Stadium in Pune was the venue for a match which did more in one day for Kenya's standing in the game than all of the previous 15 years since their breakway from the East African Cricket Conference put together.

It was their first appearance in the game's premier one-day competition and it began, unsurprisingly, with defeats by India, Australia and Zimbabwe.

Maurice Odumbe
Odumbe: Led his side with skill and flair

No-one outside Kenya would have predicted a different outcome against the West Indies, twice World Cup winners and the game's dominant force for most of the previous 20 years.

Fast bowlers Curtly Ambose and Courtney Walsh were at the peak of their powers and Brian Lara was firmly established as the best batsman in the world.

But all that counted for nothing as Kenya pulled off an astonishing 73-run victory by bowling West Indies out for just 93 in front of 5,000 disbelieving spectators.

"West Indies are our idols, and to beat an idol is a great thing. We came to the World Cup with a promise that we could play," skipper Odumbe said afterwards.

"I think we proved it today. We have created history and I think the future is bright."

Disappointing total

Kenya lost the toss and were put in by Richie Richardson on a pitch which favoured the bowlers.

Walsh took a wicket in each of his first two overs and no Kenyan batsman was able to dominate, although Steve Tikolo hit the Jamican over long-off for four and then lofted him for six.

Tikolo was eventually dismissed by spinner Roger Harper for 29 and it took some determined batting by Hitesh Modi, who lasted 74 balls for his 28, and Thomas Odoyo (24) to see them to their eventual total of 166 all out.

The turning point was when we got Brian Lara

Maurice Odumbe

The West Indies batting line-up was not as strong as in previous World Cups, and they had won only one of their previous three games - forfeiting one rather than travel to Sri Lanka.

But no-one expected the collapse which followed.

Skipper Richardson had his off stump removed by Rajab Ali and it was soon 22 for two as Sherwin Campbell was bowled by Martin Suji.

There was still no need to panic but Kenya were soon celebrating again as Lara sliced an attempted drive to a ball from Ali and was caught by Tariq Iqbal for eight.

Keith Arthurton was run out two runs later and the West Indies were in freefall from then on.

Odumbe's off-spin proved too much for the middle order as he dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jimmy Adams and Harper for figures of three for 15 from his 10 overs.

Only Chanderpaul and Harper reached double figures and it began to look as if they would fail to beat their 87 all out against Australia at Sydney in 1992-93, their lowest one-day total.

Martin Suji
Suji: A tight spell with the new ball

They were still six short when Curtly Ambrose was run out but Ian Bishop and Walsh took them to 89 before the latter was caught off left-arm spinner Asif Karim.

It was then just a matter of time and Ali returned to bowl last man Cameron Cuffy to complete Kenya's first ever win in an official one-day international.

Kenya have enjoyed two major victories since - both over India - and have boosted their international standing with five wins over Bangladesh.

But the victory over West Indies remains the pinnacle of Kenya's cricketing achievements so far.


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