South Africa in control against Kenya : October 31, 2008

South Africa in control against Kenya : October 31, 2008

25 overs South Africa 140 for 3 (Kallis 42*, Duminy 25*) v Kenya

Herschelle Gibbs cracked 44 from 45 balls while Jacques Kallis stroked a cultured 42 as South Africa began to dominate the first ODI against Kenya at Bloemfontein.

South Africa have a tough season in store ahead of them, facing Australia home and away. Before that huge challenge, however, they face the lesser mights of Bangladesh and Kenya. The two haven't played an ODI since the 2003 World Cup, when South Africa won by ten wickets. Such an emphatic scoreline could again be on the cards.

Yet it was Kenya who stole the early honours. On a slow pitch, Peter Ongondo gained useful movement off the pitch, and struck in his second over when Hashim Amla pushed meekly to hand the bowler an easy caught-and-bowled.

If anything, the early wicket poked Gibbs into life. Thomas Odoyo's gift of a half-volley was driven through cover and Ongondo was tickled around the corner with finesse. Anything on the stumps was worked extravagantly to fine-leg or paddled over square leg. South Africa were beginning to motor.

Kallis took a while to establish himself but finally got hold of a leg-side stray from Nehemiah Odhiambo, lifting him over midwicket. Kenya never gave up, however, and Ongondo snaffled his second caught-and-bowled when Gibbs - skipping down the pitch - chipped an easy return catch. Kallis then opened up, powering Ongondo over extra cover for a huge six as South Africa's 100 came up in the 17th over.

Kenya plugged away, though AB de Villiers was a little unfortunate. He skipped down the pitch to Elijah Otieno, the ball bouncing and brushing his thigh pad before sneaking onto the stumps. Perhaps not the most emphatic way in which to bowl someone, but Otieno wasn't complaining.

Kallis was joined by JP Duminy who nudged and nurdled his way through the middle overs, while Kallis did much the same, albeit with greater orthodoxy. At the halfway point, South Africa were lining up an ominously large total.