Defeat for Canada’s Kiwi connection

State Central Stags opener Geoff Barnett struck 41 and New Zealand-born Ian Billcliff was also in the runs, but Canada’s World Cup campaign started with defeat in St Lucia.

Kenya, semi-finalists in the 2003 event, completed a seven-wicket victory after overcoming their Group C rivals inside 44 overs.

Batting first, Canada put on 199 with last man Henry Osinde falling to a run out off the final ball.

Stags batsman Barnett got his team off to a healthy start, stroking nine fours in a 50-ball innings as part of top-order stands of 40 and 33.

Billcliff, formerly of Auckland, Wellington and Otago, made 34, but three late run outs and two wickets each by Kenya captain Steve Tikolo and Jimmy Kamande kept Canada under 200.

Tikolo then hit an unbeaten 72 from 76 balls to guide his team to victory, posting an unbroken 84-run stand with Tanmay Mishra (34 not out), after opener Maurice Ouma’s 58 led the charge.

The BLACKCAPS play Kenya on Wednesday 21 March and Canada Friday 23 March in St Lucia.

Both games commence at 1.30am NZ Time, and will be available to follow online at BLACKCAPS.co.nz, on Radio Sport and live on Sky Sports TV.