Thaindian News

Bangalore, March 13 (IANS) Defending champions Australia cruised into the quarterfinals of the World Cup with a comfortable 60-run win over Kenya in a Group A match here Sunday.

The Kenyan batsmen put up a tough fight, with Collins Obuya (98 not out) and Tanmay Mishra (72) adding 115-runs for the fifth wicket, but failed to overhaul Australia’s 324 for six, and could muster 264 for six in their 50 overs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

It was virtually all over for Kenya in the first 10 overs as they were reduced to 46 for three, but Obuya and Mishra hung in there to make a match of the mammoth target.

The Mumbai-born Mishra hit eight boundaries and a six, for his eight ODI fifty, during his 89-ball innings.

The Australian bowlers could pick up just three wickets between them, while three Kenyan batsmen were run out.

Obuya was left stranded at one end and missed a chance to get his maiden century. He hit nine fours and three sixes in his 129-ball knock.

Earlier, Australia, who extended their unbeaten run in the World Cup to 33 matches, were in trouble as they lost three wickets for 16 runs to slump to 143 for four after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat.

But Michael Clarke (93), Brad Haddin (65) and comeback man Mike Hussey (54) guided Australia to a huge score and batted Kenya out of the game.

Clarke and Hussey bailed out the team from the precarious 143/4 with their 114-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Hussey, who replaced his brother David in the team, found the situation tailor-made for him and hit four fours in his 43-ball knock.

Clarke was also in good form and got his fourth half-century in his past five ODIs from 52 deliveries, but the 29-year-old fell seven runs short of his first World Cup hundred after he holed out to long-on.

Steve Smith and Mitchell Johnson were unbeaten on 17 and 12 respectively.

Opener Shane Watson (21) was the first to depart when he slashed at a wide ball from Nehemiah Odhiambo (3-57) and was caught behind.

Brad Haddin, who has been in good form in the tournament, scored his second half-century from this third outing in the tournament, but fell for 65 after holing out to long-on off off-spinner Jimmy Kamande. Haddin struck nine fours and one six from 79 deliveries.