Cricket: Flintoff sparks England A's fine start

Cricket: Flintoff sparks England A's fine start

England A scored up a convincing 148-run victory in yesterday's opening one-day international against Kenya in Nairobi with a professional all- round performance. Andrew Flintoff provided the foundation for England's solid 221 for 9 in their 50 overs with a magnificent 104 after the tourists had slipped into trouble at 74 for 4 halfway through their overs. England were impressive during Kenya's reply and dismissed them for 73 in 28.3 overs to complete the convincing triumph. Ben Hollioake and Ashley Giles took three wickets each as Kenya lost their last nine wickets for just 29 runs in 16.3 overs. Hollioake finished with 3 for 17 in seven overs while Giles took 3 for 7 in six overs of left-arm spin. England Under- 19s' first one-day international against South Africa in Benoni was abandoned without a ball being bowled after torrential rain. Sachin Tendulkar claims he had been "mentally prepared" for losing the captaincy of India. The 24-year-old, who has been replaced by Mohammed Azharuddin, said: "I am not sad. I am not shattered. I was mentally prepared when I was given the job and was prepared on this occasion." Azharuddin, 34, who was sacked in August 1996 to make way for Tendulkar, will lead India in a limited- overs tournament in Bangladesh next week and in the home three-Test series against Australia in February and March. Under Tendulkar, India won only three of 17 Tests and 17 of 54 one-day matches. The off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan has been left out of India's squad for Bangladesh. He and Kumara Dharmasena, of Sri Lanka, have been banned from international cricket until they alter their suspect bowling actions.