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Kenya warming up in good time

Kenya (250-6) bt Gloucs (249-6) by 4 wkts

Kenya's star is rising. They followed their limp defeat by Somerset with a sweetly measured victory over Gloucestershire - and if they can spin Glamorgan on their tails at Cardiff tomorrow they believe they'll be properly primed for England, South Africa and the rest of them when the cricket gets serious in the World Cup. These chaps set their sights high.

Gloucestershire, in the spirit of things, were breezy but respectful hosts. Martin Suji was allowed to bowl 10 brisk overs for 20 and captain Asif Karim to twirl his 10 for 34; but then the county (pointing perhaps at one of Kenya's weaknesses) were able to profit happily. Jack Russell (90) and Tim Hancock (83 not out) put on 129 together in 17 overs with 104 coming off the last 10. Hancock, brutally, hit five sixes and four fours in his innings off 58 balls.

Kenya, however, didn't need late pyrotechnics. They paced themselves on a civil wicket with Ravindu Shah making 50 (a better knock than his 73 at Taunton), Kennedy Otieno 68 (after a tardy start) and Maurice Odumbe also 68 (in precisely 68 balls). Steve Tikolo failed again; but perhaps he's saving himself.

Kenya's target was achieved in strict tempo time despite Kim Barnett taking a couple of wickets to raise late doubts - but Kenya bat down the order, their nerve held and in the end they had five balls to spare.