Ireland beat Kenya in World Cricket League opener

World Cricket League Division 1, Rotterdam:
Ireland 164-3 (39.5 overs) beat Kenya 163 all out (45.3 overs) by 7 wkts

Nigel Jones and John Mooney celebrate after a Kenyan wicket falls

Ireland comfortably defeated Kenya by seven wickets in their World Cricket League Division 1 opener against Kenya at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Batting first, Kenya were 163 all out after 45.3 overs, with Alex Obanda scoring 40 runs and Collins Obuya 30.

Trent Johnston, Alex Cusack and John Mooney each took two wickets while Kevin O'Brien, Nigel Jones and George Dockrell took a wicket apiece.

Ireland made 164-3 off 39.5 overs in reply, Paul Stirling top-scoring on 87.

Stirling made his score off 106 balls while Alex Cusack contributed 59 off 95 balls.

The pair put on a partnership of 127 for the second wicket.

Mooney ended Kenya's innings with bowling figures of 2-26, while Cusack took 2-29 and Johnston 2-32.

The Irish were without skipper William Porterfield, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin and Gary Wilson because of their English county commitments.

Injured Andre Botha was also out for Ireland who are being captained by Trent Johnston.

The Irish are playing six matches in Holland as they aim to retain their position as the top associate nation.

Ireland won last year's competition which also doubled as the qualifier for the 2011 ICC World Cup.

The Irish now face games against Afghanistan (Saturday), Scotland (Monday), Canada (7 July) and Holland (9 July) before their final play-off match on 10 July.

Ireland's match schedule

Thursday 1 July - beat Kenya by seven wickets

Saturday 3 July - v Afghanistan, Rotterdam

Monday 5 July - v Scotland, Voorburg

Wednesday 7 July - v Canada, Amstelveen

Friday 9 July - v Netherlands, Amstelveen

Saturday 10 July - Play-off (venue, opponent tbc)