Rotterdam: A collective bowling effort and a solid opening performance from Paul Stirling kicked off defending champions Ireland's World Cricket League Division 1 campaign on a successful note in Rotterdam.
Their opponents Kenya, fresh from a stand-off with their board regarding player contracts, were skittled for 163, before Stirling (87), supported by an unbeaten 59 from Alex Cusack, ensured a comfortable chase.
For Ireland, Trent Johnson and Cusack grabbed two wickets each to help scupper a steady Kenyan start. Alex Obanda and Collins Obuya had forged a 44-run stand for the third wicket, but the bowlers struck to bag the last eight wickets for just 60 runs.
In response, Stirling and Cusack combined in a 127-run stand for the second wicket to crush Kenya's hopes and seal a seven-wicket win.
Brief scores
Kenya 163 (Obanda 40)
Ireland 164 for 3 (Stirling 87, Cusack 59*)
Result Ireland won by seven wickets
MOM Alex Cusack (Ireland)
Points Ireland 2, Kenya 0