Kenya exit the World Cup without a win

Zimbabwe inflict a 161-run defeat, bowling Kenya out for 147 after Craig Ervine helped set a target of 309.

Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine, left, plays a sweep during his side’s 161-run victory against Kenya.

KOLKATA // Kenya wilted under the pressure of chasing a huge total as the Zimbabwe spinners skittled them for just 147 runs to hand them a thumping 161-run loss in their final World Cup Group A match on Sunday.

Kenya squandered their final chance to register a win at the World Cup as they succumbed meekly in just 36 overs, looking to chase down a steep 309-run target for victory at Eden Gardens.

The Zimbabwe spin battery of Ray Price, Prosper Utseya, Greg Lamb and Graeme Cremer put the Kenyan batsmen on the mat by picking up wickets regularly on a batting-friendly pitch.

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• Cricket World Cup groups points table

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Earlier, the Zimbabwe batsmen made merry against an insipid bowling performance as Tatenda Taibu (53), Vusi Sibanda (61) and Craig Ervine (66) notched half-centuries to take their team to 308 for six after opting to bat first.

Neither team qualified for the quarter-finals and both now return home.

Taibu and Sibanda laid the foundations for Zimbabwe with a 110-run partnership for the third wicket after they had lost both their openers inside the first 10 overs.

Ervine then added 105 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Elton Chigumbura to take Zimbabwe towards a solid total.

Greg Lamb and Prosper Utseya finished the innings in style, adding 32 runs off the last two overs to take the total past the 300-run mark.

For Kenya, Steve Tikolo, 39, captained the side for the injured Jimmy Kamande in his last international.