West Indies emerges as a winner in sixth ODI against Kenya

Colombo, September 17: Michael Holding was the commentator on the TV when Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-edged Martin Suji to fine-leg early in the innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club here on Tuesday. Thomas Odoyo came well under the ball to take the catch, but somehow spilled the chance.

"I hope that is not investigated and probed by the ACU. Given the kind of paranoia here, anything is possible," said Holding.

That terse comment summed up the general feeling at the ground as West Indies went on complete a 29-run win over Kenya.

West Indies were propelled by the 15th one-day century from Brian Lara, a classy 111 coming from 120 balls. Lara struggled with bouts of dehydration throughout his innings but kept striking the ball with power and timing to complete his first hundred in 27 one-day matches.

He had been coming up with stroked-filled cameos recently, but on Tuesday he carried on till almost the end of the West Indian innings that gave them a total of 261. During his brave effort, Lara also completed 7500 runs in one-day internationals.

The Windies were given a whirlwind start by Chris Gayle and Chanderpaul who put on 60 runs for the opening wicket in 11 overs. Later, captain Carl Hooper, Wavell Hinds and Ramnaresh Sarwan all contributed 20 each as they played around Lara to give impetus in the slog overs --- 57 runs were added in the last five overs of the West Indian innings.

Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo led from the front by unleashing a 91-ball 93 and raised visions of an upset victory. But the Windies were served well by left-arm pace bowler Pedro Collins who finished with three for 18 from his nine overs to put the brakes on the Kenyan innings and achieve victory for his side.

Tikolo said that today's performance had given his team a lot of confidence for their next match against the South Africans. 'I knew I was nearing a personal hundred but for the team's cause I had to go for the runs," said Tikolo.