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Bermuda's struggling frontline batsmen suffered another spectacular collapse as their miserable run of form continued with a crushing eight-wicket defeat at the hands of merciless Kenya yesterday.

A second consecutive half-century from the in-form Lionel Cann and another solid knock from the increasingly impressive Rodney Trott, on his one-day-international debut, salvaged some dignity.

But Bermuda has had little from its senior players so far this tour with skipper Irving Romaine and vice-captain David Hemp struggling to find their form.

Romaine followed his two ducks against Uganda with 2 against the Kenyans while Hemp (9) has yet to reach double figures since arriving in Africa.

Openers Stephen Outerbridge (2) and Jekon Edness (12) didn't fare any better, while James Celestine (15) is also struggling.

Kenyan pacer Peter Ongondo did the bulk of the damage taking 3 for 16, to leave Bermuda reeling on 51 for 5 - a much better situation than on Tuesday, when they were 18 for 5 against Uganda, but still an impossible position.

Cann (52), in aggressive counter-attacking mode, enjoyed the lion's share of a 62-run partnership with Janeiro Tucker (18) to propel Bermuda towards respectability.

Then the St. David's skipper, who hit nine fours and a six in his 32-ball innings, combined with Trott (22*) before being bowled attempting another big drive.

Trott's Under-19 team-mate Malachi Jones chipped in with 21, but was run out, and Bermuda fell to 174 all out in 41.2 overs.

It was a total that they were never likely to defend on a good batting wicket and despite an early strike from Hurdle, who trapped David Obuya leg-before for a golden duck, the bowlers were given a severe whooping by Kenya's batsmen.

19-year-old Alex Obanda rattled a run-a-ball 79 not out, combining with the experienced Steve Tikolo (42*) to see the Africans past their victory target with more than 20 overs in hand.

The only other bright spot for Bermuda was a first ODI wicket for spinner Trott, who bowled opener Maurice Ouma for a quickfire 42.

And though the old guard has struggled, Trott and Jones, with the bat rather than the ball, have impressed enough to hint at a glimmer of hope for the long-term.

The immediate future, though, sees Bermuda renew ODI rivalries with an extremely strong Kenyan side on Saturday and Sunday, needing much more from their skipper and his comrades at the top of the order.[[In-content Ad]]

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