February 29, 1996 – When Kenya registered a shocking win over West Indies

For a brief period, Kenya stood out as the best teams among the Associate nations by giving a thumping to the top sides regularly. They even made into the semi-finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup with some gutsy performances and a few walkovers at the same time. The win against West Indies in the 1996 World Cup on the leap year day still remains as Kenya’s best. It was only the 3rd occasion of an associate nation defeating Test nation in a World Cup fixture.

West Indies elected to bowl first in the game played at the Nehru Stadium in Pune coming in from a loss to India and conceding a walk over to Sri Lanka. Kenya ended up with 166 before getting bowled out in the final over despite losing wickets regularly. Contributions came in from Steve Tikolo (29), Hitesh Modi (26) and Thomas Odoyo (24) but the extras turned out to be top scorer in Kenya’s innings. The Windies bowlers gave away 37 extras including 14 wides and 13 no-balls to put on a decent total on a turning track.

Kenya’s opening bowlers Martin Suji and Rabad Ali struck early to send back the West Indies skipper Richie Richardson and Sherwin Campbell. Brian Lara, who walked out to bat at No.3, tried to play an aggressor but lasted only 11 balls before nicking one behind off Ali for 8. Losing Lara’s wicket created a panic in the Caribbean team’s camp as they lost wickets with the runs not coming easily. Captain Maurice Odumbe’s tight spell of 10-3-15-3 was backed up with some good fielding to bowl out the opposition to 93 in 35.2 overs.

A sweet revenge over Lara for Odumbe.

The Kenyan players performed a lap of honour celebrating their maiden ODI victory got applause from a crowd of 5,000 present at the venue. The Windies players went to the Kenyan dressing room to congratulate them after the game. This gave a chance for Maurice Odumbe to sign an autograph to Brian Lara, who refused to give one to the Kenya players.

“You know a few years back, me and Steve Tikolo had asked you for an autograph and you refused. You should take ours now or, at least, be photographed with us.” said the then Kenyan captain to Lara according to the Outlook India.