Cricket team coaches Andy Pick of Canada and Roger Harper of Kenya agree the two teams are in for an interesting final day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match at the Maple Leaf Country Club in King City, Ontario tomorrow.
In day three today, opening batsman Geoff Barnett was the mainstay of Canada's second innings, making 136 runs. His innings included three mighty drives for six runs and a number of flowing strokes around the ground.
Barnett had featured in an opening stand of 46 with skipper John Davison at the end of day two. He was then involved in stands of 86 with Stewart Heaney, who made 12, for the third wicket and 112 for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper Ashish Baghai, who played well for his 57.
Unfortunately for Canada, the latter batsmen failed to capitalize on these stands, and the score went from a dominant 260-3 to 286 all out.
Roger Harper credited Nehemiah Odhiambo, who spearheaded the Kenyan fightback. Andy Pick chalked it up to the "ebb and flow of this game."
Barnett, who has first-class experience in New Zealand, said he "had hoped to bat all day."
"I was probably disappointed to be out," he said.
Pick said Barnett had played "beautifully."
Kenya lost two early wickets to pace bowler Umar Bhatti. There was a confident appeal for a stumping against danger-man Steve Tikolo off the bowling of John Davison, but this was turned down and Tikolo will resume on 22 not out. The final day's play begins Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Maple Leaf Country Club. The ground is in good shape for the event.
Pick noted a trend in the match so far.
"There is movement when the ball is new but nothing once the ball loses it's shine," he said.
It will be interesting to see if the ball starts to turn on the last day or if Tikolo can produce a masterful innings.
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