Match Previews
/ Ed Hawkins / 06 March 2011 / Leave a Comment
Will Steve Tikolo be in the runs against Canada?
"Canada's head-to-head record against the Kenyans is impressive. They have won their last three; by three, six and nine wickets respectively."
Ed Hawkins has identified Canada as a value bet for this contest in Delhi on Monday with their African opponents failing to impress
London start time: 09.00
Team news
Kenya and Canada meet in what both teams will probably regard as their most important match of the tournament. The losers can be sure of the 'weakest team' tag.
Canada have at least caused a Test side problems, but Kenya have done nothing of the sort. The Canadians troubled Pakistan and count themselves unlucky that they came up against a combination Shahid Afridi and UDRS.
John Davison, the 40-year-old opener who shot to prominence with a quick ton against West Indies in the 2003 jamboree, is a doubt with a groin problem. He missed the match against Pakistan. Nitish Kumar, 16, will continue in the opening berth.
The Obuya boys, Collins and David, are the only Kenyan batsmen to show decent form. They both scored 50s against Sri Lanka.
Venue and conditions
The Feroz Shah Kotla has staged only two matches so far and both saw West Indies bat first. The Windies were going well against South Africa before the spinners got hold of them and they collapsed to 222 all out. But against the Netherlands they posted 330. It would suggest quality spin makes a difference. That won't be on display today.
Match odds
Kenya are as short as [1.85] for victory and although they are ranked two places above Canada, we cannot reckon that is value. Kenya have been pathetic in each of their three outings and we would be more comfortable with their odds if this was an even-money affair.
Instead we'll happily back Canada at [2.14]. Don't go nuts with your stakes, however. Backing Canada to win a cricket match is far from an exact science.
But we have seen enough to call them as value. Against Pakistan they bowled with discipline while they at least had a spell in the game against Zimbabwe when they reduced their opponents to seven for two.
Their head-to-head record against the Kenyans is also impressive. They have won their last three; by three, six and nine wickets respectively.
Top batsman - Canada
Zubin Surkari is one to watch. He top scored the last time the sides met in July. He'll go off at around [5.50]. Davison, if fit, comes under Any Other, which is priced at [3.00]. Jimmy Hansra, at around [5.00] is their top runscorer in the tournament.
Top batsman - Kenya
There doesn't seem much point in looking past the Obuya brothers and Steve Tikolo. Collins is expected to be available at [4.50] and David [6.00]. Tikolo is a [6.50] chance.
Featured market
190, 153, 113, 189, 230 are the last five first-innings totals in matches between these two (the first three by Kenya). It would be a surprise if a total of 250 was posted first up on a tacky surface.
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