Ireland Too Good For Kenya

Botha - helped skittle Kenya out for 115.

Ireland claimed first blood in the three-match Carnegie Cup one-day series against Kenya, with a 33-run victory in Belfast.

The African tourists were chasing 149 to win, but four wickets from Johannesburg-born Andre Botha helped skittle them out for 115.

The Irish did not make the most convincing of starts, openers William Porterfield and Gary Wilson out for four and five respectively to Peter Ongondo.

Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O'Brien's dismissal for 10 left the hosts on 54 for four - but 35 from Alex Cusack and 25 from Andrew White helped them avoid an embarrassingly low total as they eventually reached 148 for nine in their 50 overs.

Boyd Rankin then accounted for both Kenyan openers, first dismissing Kennedy Otieno for nine and then removing Alex Obanda for 18.

Jimmy Kamande top-scored for the tourists with 33, before he became Botha's third victim.

The chase ended in 39 overs when Botha dismissed Ongondo for a golden duck.

The second match of the series takes place tomorrow, and will also be played in Belfast.