Twenty20 World Cup: New Zealand Crush Kenya
Mark Gillespie had proved their worth why is the best bowler of New Zealand cricket team in both version game ODI as well as in test matches. In todays match with Kenya, Gillespie picked up 4-7 in 2.5 overs to send Kenya crashing for 73 all out, the lowest Twenty20 international total, which the Kiwis surpassed easily in the eighth over to begin their campaign on a rousing note.
Daniel Vettori celebrated his elevation as New Zealand’s Test captain earlier in the day by winning the toss and asking Kenya to bat first at a sun-baked Kingsmead.
Kenya lost the first three wickets without a run on the board, slipped to 4-1 before Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo put on 36 for the fifth wicket.
Both batsmen made 18 runs each but it was not enough to help the Africans put up a reasonable total to challenge New Zealand in the group C match.
Vettori, who already captains New Zealand in one-day and Twenty20 cricket, replaced the long-serving Stephen Fleming as Test skipper earlier on Wednesday.
As expected, it was a cakewalk for New Zealand. After losing Lou Vincent, who made 27 off 20 balls including four boundaries and a six, at the team total of 40, the Kiwis had no further problems.
Brendon Mc Cullum (16 off 13 balls, 1x4, 1x6) and Peter Fulton (21 off 14 balls, 1x4, 2x6) put on an unbeaten stand of 34 runs for the second wicket to see their team through.
