Samuels

BENONI, South Africa (CMC):

MARLON SAMUELS' whirlwind half-century lifted the West Indies to an uncomplicated, six-wicket win over Kenya in their opening warm-up match, ahead of next week's Twenty20 World Cup.

The right-handed Samuels smashed 63 from a mere 30 balls as the West Indies, chasing the African nation's 155 for five from their allotted 20 overs, raced to their target with 15 balls to spare at Willowmoore Park, yesterday.

Warming up for their first match of the inaugural competition against South Africa on Tuesday, the West Indies got off to a flyer with opener Devon Smith slamming six fours in a 23-ball 28, in a stand of 38 with Denesh Ramdin (seven) for the first wicket.

The West Indies were set back, however, when both openers fell in successive overs with the score on 38. But Samuels shared in a frenetic stand of 105 for the third wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who slammed an unbeaten 46, as the Windies overturned the Kenyan advantage. Samuels cracked three fours and six sixes in his stay at the crease, while Chanderpaul stroked four fours and two sixes in his 33-ball cameo.

When Samuels finally fell to a catch at the wicket off fast-bowler Peter Ongondo in the 15th over, the West Indies were already in sight of victory.

Runako Morton's departure without scoring seven balls later did nothing to change the course of the innings as Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine, unbeaten on seven, saw the regional side home. Earlier, Kenya reached their eventual score behind solid knocks from Tanmay Mishra (43), Thomas Odoyo (33) and Maurice Ouma (32), after they had been put in by the West Indies.

Kenya lost David Obuya for one with the score on 12 in the second over but Ouma and Mishra posted 58 for the second wicket to post a recovery of sorts. Ouma struckthree fours and one six off 33 balls, while Mishra hit four fours and a six in his knock that lasted 42 balls.

When Ouma was run out with the score on 70 and Mishra perished to left-arm seamer Pedro Collins in the 14th over, Odoyo kept Kenya alive with his up-tempo 33 from 22 balls with one four and three sixes.