Cricket: Namibia take on Kenya at oval

Man of the match Gerry Snyman plays a shot during an ICC World Cup qualifying match between Namibia and The Netherlands at Bay Oval. Photo / Getty Images

An African cricketing showdown is set to light up the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui today.

Namibia and Kenya will clash in a Group B round 2 match in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament that has brought to the Bay some of the world's most exotic cricketing nations.

The Netherlands, Uganda, UAE and Papua New Guinea will also be in action at the Bay Oval in the event to find the final contenders for the 2015 Cricket World Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

In today's encounter, Namibia are clear favourites after their upset win over The Netherlands on Tuesday.

The highly favoured Netherlands bowlers were sent to all parts of the picturesque Bay Oval 2 ground as Namibia raced to 253-6 off their allotted 50 overs. Gerry Snyman top scored with a rollicking run-a-ball 74 and Christi Viljoen was 46 no.

In reply, the Netherlands batted poorly and had it not been for a tail end fight back led by Michael Rippon (44 no) they would have been out for way less than the 162 runs they managed.

Man of the match Snyman said the win was a team effort, with good partnerships through the innings.

"Momentum is the biggest thing in a tournament like this and a win first up is just what we wanted."

Meanwhile, Kenya were well beaten by PNG by eight wickets in New Plymouth on Monday, despite a century from Collins Obuya, who made 106 off 120 balls.

Play gets under way at Bay Oval today from 10.30am.