New Zealand open with emphatic win
New Zealand claimed an emphatic 10-wicket victory in their opening World Cup match after bowling Kenya out for 69 in Chennai.
Hamish Bennett claimed four wickets while Tim Southee and Jacob Oram took three each as the Kenya batsmen failed to cope with the pace of the Black Caps attack. Indeed, only three reached double figures as they collapsed from 40 for one to 69 all out in 23.5 overs.
In reply, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill (39 not out off 32 balls) and Brendon McCullum (26no off 17) overhauled the target inside eight overs to seal a comprehensive victory.
Batting first after winning the toss, Kenya got off to a dismal start, losing five wickets inside the first 16 overs with paceman Bennett doing the bulk of the damage.
The 23-year-old, who was introduced as first change in the 10th over, claimed four wickets in his fiery opening spell after Southee had sent back opener Alex Obanda (six) early on.
From 40 for one in the 12th over, the minnows slumped to 49 for five, with Seren Waters (16), Collins Obuya (14), Steve Tikolo (two) and wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma back in the pavilion after failing to stand up to Bennett's pace.
Oram then took over from Bennett and claimed Jimmy Kamande (two) to leave Kenya tottering on 59 for six.
He struck again in his next over when Thomas Odoyo found his leading edge caught at point by Jesse Ryder.
Southee then polished off the tail, dismissing Nehemiah Odhiambo and Shem Ngoche in successive balls while Oram sent back number eleven Elijah Otieno.
New Zealand wasted little time in rattling off the required runs. Guptill began the chase aggressively and hit five boundaries and two sixes, while McCullum finished the match with two reverse-sweep boundaries to seal a simple win.
