ANDY Murray's influence reached Mannofield when the cheer greeting his Wimbledon triumph briefly halted play, but his fellow countrymen could not maintain their recent revival, subsiding to 212 all out against a Kenya team they had beaten four times in the one-day international and Twenty20 formats last week.

The day was dominated by the visiting bowlers, the only comfort for Scotland coming in half-centuries from Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod, the latter again top-scoring for his country.

Scotland's decision to bat first was soon open to question as Kenya seized an early initiative. Freddie Coleman may have hit the first ball of the match beautifully through the covers for four but Elijah Otieno and Nehemiah Odhiambo quickly settled into a nagging line and length.

Odhiambo made the breakthrough in the sixth over when Coleman (13) edged one to first slip. Ewan Chalmers, who had struggled for any timing, departed in the next over when he nibbled outside off stump and was taken by Irfan Karim.

Scotland badly needed a partnership but Craig Wallace, preferred in the starting line-up to Matthew Cross, had his first class debut cut short by Nehemiah, who again found an edge. At 40 for three, the Scots were in trouble but Richie Berrington and captain Preston Mommsen brought a bit of poise to proceedings, adding 67 valuable runs. There was still assistance for the bowlers, though, and, having reached 34, Mommsen became Nehemiah's third victim when his middle stump was uprooted.

Berrington went on to complete a composed half-century, reaching the landmark from 97 balls and hitting seven fours including two perfectly-timed straight drives that raced across the outfield. He added a further four on the way to 62 but was deceived by a delivery from Hiren Varaiya which appeared to keep low on the way through his defences.

Varaiya claimed a second wicket when Moneeb Iqbal, having faced 22 balls without getting off the mark, attempted a lofted drive which was taken by Nehemiah at mid-off. Majid Haq fell to a superb return catch by James Ngoche, the first of the spinner's four victims.

Kenya were stalled by MacLeod, who went on to make 67, reaching his half-century at the moment Murray was sealing his place in Wimbledon folklore. MacLeod also hit four fours and a massive six in his 143-ball knock before he was last man out, offering a simple return catch to Ngoche.

Gordon Goudie removed Alex Obanda lbw as Kenya reached 11-1 at the close but Scotland require quick wickets today if they are to claim the first innings bonus points they need to rekindle their hopes of reaching the Intercontinental Cup final.