Botha spins South Africa past Kenya

Stand-in skipper Johan Botha led from the front by taking 4-19 with his off-spin as South Africa eased past Kenya by 159 runs in Bloemfontein.

The Proteas made 336-7 after Botha had won the toss as JP Duminy (90), Jacques Kallis (71) and Mark Boucher (57 not out) feasted on the Kenyan attack.

In reply, Kenya never looked likely to cause an upset as Botha and Duminy (3-31) helped skittle them for 177.

The second and final one-dayer takes place in Kimberley on Sunday.

Botha - who had to remodel his action after being no-balled for throwing on his Test debut in January 2006 - was leading the side for the first time because of Graeme Smith's elbow injury.

Having won the toss, he was able to sit back and watch his batsmen make hay as although Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers fell cheaply, Herschelle Gibbs (44), Kallis, Duminy and Boucher raced along at nearly seven runs an over.

Boucher smashed three sixes and hit three fours in his unbeaten 57, which came off just 30 balls.

Although paceman Johann Louw missed out on an ODI debut, it was spin rather than seam that prevented Kenya from building any meaningful partnerships - with Alex Obanda (38) and wicketkeeper David Obuya (35) the only two players to pass 20.

Duminy, primarily a batsman, had taken just three wickets in his previous 33 ODI appearances, but doubled his tally after bowling well in tandem with his skipper - removing Obuya to seal victory with five balls to spare.