Hosts Kenya made a stirring start to the World Cricket League at Nairobi's Jaffreys Sports Club, dismissing Bermuda by ten wickets in a one-sided contest on Monday.

According to ICC news release, the home boys won the toss and opted to bowl, and managed to skittle out their opponents for 133 with more than 10 overs to spare, despite a creditable half-century from opener Dean Minors.

The hosts then rattled off 137 with the minimum fuss, Maurice Ouma doing his World Cup prospects no harm at all with an unbeaten 57 and man-of-the-match David Obuya notching 74.

The match was brought forward 24 hours in order to avoid a clash with the Islamic holiday commemorating the Day of Ashura, giving the Bermudans only three days in Africa to acclimatize.

Veteran Kenya captain Steve Tikolo's decision at the toss paid dividends in the very first over when Thomas Odoyo trapped Clay Smith leg before wicket with the third ball of the day.

Bermuda, the surprise packages of the ICC Trophy two years ago when they finished fourth to qualify for this year's Cricket World Cup, were soon two down when skipper Irving Romaine was caught at cover by Tanmay Mishra off the bowling of Peter Ongondo after scoring six.

The East Africans headed into the tournament in high spirits after emerging victorious from the Mombasa tri-series earlier this month, and again with the benefit of playing at home - a considerable advantage given the location is 5,000 feet above sea level.

With 82 ODIs already under their belts, Kenya started the tournament as favourites to win and therefore clinch a place at the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa in September.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2007)