Kenya answer critics to cruise into semis

Kenya's Maurice Odumbe felt his side had answered their critics with a crushing seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe to set up a World…

Kenya's Maurice Odumbe felt his side had answered their critics with a crushing seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe to set up a World Cup semi-final with India.

Set just 134 to win, Kenya overcame the loss of early wickets to reach their target with 24 overs to spare and make the semis for first time in their history.

Odumbe and Thomas Odoyo steered the African minnows home with some powerful hitting, Odumbe making 38 from just 20 balls and Odoyo scoring 43 from 60 balls.

Kenya's cause had been significantly helped by New Zealand forfeiting four points for refusing to play in Nairobi in the group stages, but Odumbe feels Kenya deserve to be in the last four alongside Australia and India.

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"After getting Zimbabwe out for 133 it was not going to be easy but we had to go out there and be positive," he said.

"Small scores are very tricky normally so we decided if there was a ball to be hit we were going to hit it.

"I'm happy with the way we played. There are a lot of critics out there saying we are not supposed to be in the Super Six but today maybe we have proved them wrong with our performance."

Odumbe added on Sky Sports 3: "It's not every day we get to the semi-finals of the World Cup, especially considering the teams that have already dropped out. It's a great feeling and I'm sure everyone back home will be very happy."

Captain Steve Tikolo added: "The boys have been playing good cricket. Our target was the Super Six but once we got there we wanted to get into the semi-finals.

"I'm happy the boys are playing well. I'm not getting runs with the bat but I'm chipping in with the ball."

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who saw his side bow out of the competition, admitted they had been second best on the day.

"We're very disappointed but credit must go to Kenya," he said. "Unfortunately our batters got out to some soft dismissals but it was because of the pressure they created.

"It was a slowish wicket so the ball wasn't coming on. The guys got a bit stuck in the middle and we didn't put enough of a decent total to put any pressure on them.

"I think they played the better cricket on the day."

PA