So it's time for the last one of the series already, a 4-1 result would be good for confidence before the squad step onto the plane to Bangladesh, the other confidence building factor of course, would be if Tatenda Taibu kept his kit on the seat next to him ;)
Personally i expect Malcolm Waller to be the man to drop out of the 16 to finalise the squad for Bangladesh, on that basis i don't think he should be playing tomorrow, Charles Coventry should be playing for some much needed practice and so, i feel, should both Trevor Garwe and Christopher Mpofu.
Team balance looks nice to me. 3 specialist spinners, 2 genuine pacers in Garwe and Mpofu. Waller, Covy retained and 2 explosive openers at top. not to forget experienced Taylor and Matsi in middle order.
Phenomenal 184* by Zimbabwean Viv Richards. I had gone to my parental home to celebrate diwali. While i was coming back this afternoon, Hammie was in 80's. Every now and then i checked my mobile to see his progress and it was a pleasant journey.
Though it was a blockbuster innings but it again proved that it's really impossible to repeat a Coventry.
I've had the chance to look at the score every now and again today, brilliant innings again by Masakadza, that's 467 runs for the series, which is ok i suppose ...... ;)
Surprise for me to see Waller playing, i guess it's just a little pat on the back for him as i'm sure he will be the one to miss out on the trip to Bangladesh, shame for Matsikenyeri as he didn't get the chance to knock off his 8 runs today, pleased also that Mpofu and Garwe have been selected and had a run-out, although both of them have been knocked about a bit.
Another 17 wides conceded today, i'd be scared to count up how many wides and no balls we've given the Kenyans this week, presents like these simply can't be given to Bangladesh.
That's it then, Kenya 187 all out and a nice big 142 run win to round off the series, shame it couldn't have been 5-0 but overall the team have showed themselves to the cricket world as being pretty professional, can't wait for the Bangla series to begin :D
Fantastic innings from Young Mutizwa, who (i'm sure) has booked himself a trip to bangladesh after his performances with the bat in these last 2 games.
Well done 2 brendon Taylor for rwaching yet another 50 in the series. He and Masakadza are fast becoming the back bone of our batting line up :D
And ofcourse well done to mazza for:
. being the highest run scorer in 2009
. reacing his highest ODI score of 178*.
Another well done to the bowlers, Price being the consistent bowler we've all come to know and love, and to Mpofu for picking up 3 vital Kenyan wickets.
I'm really looking 4ward to the bangladesh series, lets hope we can prove to the cricketing world that we're a force to be reckoned with !!
Good win for the boys, I agree with Sloandog that the batting seems to have a good backbone at the moment with Hamilton at the top and Taylor in the middle order who can play the anchor role, still a few questions over Coventry and where he should bat and now the big question is what to do with Forster Mutizwa who is demanding a spot in the first ODI against Bangladesh. I think Taibu is going to find it very difficult to get in the side straight away.
On the bowling the spin trio did there job as usal but garwe got a bit of tap and i think that the battle will be between Jarvis and Mpofu for the one remaing seemers spot for the first ODI, this is persuming that Chigumbura is just being given a rest and will come back into the side.
Question marks about Sean Williams fitness though and will he be the one batsman to miss out on the tour? (Due to injury) boy does this guy have bad luck when it comes to injurys, hes allways picking up little niggles.