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'The boys are applying themselves'
Kenya, on Sunday produced a much improved performance during their 60-run defeat to defending champions Australia in a group A World Cup match and skipper James Kamande feels it was the "nothing to lose" attitude that helped them to apply themselves in Bangalore.
"Most important thing for us is that we keep improving from every match. Today, I felt that the boys are applying themselves," Kamande said.
- Images: Kenya go down fighting to Aus
"They have nothing to lose and it is good to see that they found that out; it is most important thing as a sportsman. It was good show from most of the lads, at least 70 per cent of them did their best today," he added.
Chasing 325 to win, Kenya scored 264 for six in their 50 overs, courtesy Collins Obuya (98 not out) and Tanmay Mishra (72) brilliant innings.
'We did not come here to prove anything to anybody'
Asked to react to the critics who feel minnows should not be playing in the World Cup, Kamande said it was an individual opinion as according to him all the associate teams have shown improvement in the tournament.
"We did not come here to prove anything to anybody. The most important thing for us was to qualify for this World Cup. Of course, there are bound to be performances by the Test-playing nations. But the qualifiers might go and it is going to be difficult for us to win over Australia even if we play for another ten years," he said.
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"You should look at the improvements shown by the Associate nations' teams. Whoever says that smaller teams are not deserved to be here, it is his opinion. I can say for sure that we did a lot to be here," he added.
Kamande said he asked his players to keep fighting and get close to the target during their run-chase.
"I have learnt a lot from my former coach, Sandeep Patil, who used to tell us get close and keep getting close to the target to achieve your goal. I was telling the guys to get close and close. We do not give up till the end and there was no change in our attitude today too. We were about 40 per cent on top of this game," he said.
'I am disappointed that I did not get my century'
Meanwhile, Man-of-the-match Collins said he was proud of his unbeaten 98-run innings but missing out of a deserving century against Australia left him a bit disappointed.
"I am proud of my innings against the world and defending champion, Australia. I scored some good runs against them in trying to help my team and the not out makes it even more better," he said.
"Of course I am disappointed that I did not get my century. I wanted a hundred very badly. It is good for my record. Hopefully, in the next round against Zimbabwe, I will get a century," he added.
On his bowling abilities, Collins said he was confident even though he got hit for runs during Australia's innings.
"We have the confidence in bowling, batting and fielding. I told myself that if you play against a Test team you must have the confidence as otherwise you will not perform better. As you would have seen, I was hit for big runs a couple of times but I stood there," he said.