With Kenya's 5 match tour to Zimbabwe definitely on, and the Holland matches at the end of March, all we need final confirmation of now is what exactly will happen in Bangladesh. We do know one thing, and that is Kenya are going, and we will be playing either a tri-series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, or a stand-alone series against Bangladesh. One would expect the tri-series to comprise a couple of preliminary matches against each team, and then hopefully the final. So potentially 5 matches there for Kenya. Should Zimbabwe not turn up (and with the table as it stands, the only way they can afford to do that is by beating Kenya 5-0 - like that will happen, otherwise they risk being overtaken), then Bangladesh and Kenya will probably play either a 3 or 4 match series. Then it is a quick return to Nairobi to take on Holland in an ODI before the 4 Day Intercontinental Cup tie. All in all, Kenya will play between 9 and 11 ODIs before April 1. Counting the 2 played at the Champions Trophy '04 (counts as 1 for points weighting, but 2 for qualifying to rankings), that will be a minimum of 10 ODIs not including Holland. Enough to qualify for a ranking on the ODI ladder, so long as we win at least 2 of those matches.
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It will be fitting for Kenya to be the first of the Associates to be ranked, as we have been there before, but lost it due to not being given any matches by Full Members. Even more vindicating for Cricket Kenya and the hard work that is going on behind the scenes, would be for Kenya to leapfrog either Bangladesh or Zimbabwe on the table. This is a definite possibility if the Kenyans play to their potential, and will go a long way towards convincing the rest of the teams out there that we are worth playing.
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Once we are on the table, I believe it will be in our best interests to not only look for more matches against the other Full Members, but also play enough against the other 5 Associates that they too have played enough matches to qualify. With the 60% rule applying, this would then mean that it will not be too long before one of the others join us on the table, probably either Scotland or Ireland. Once there are a couple of Associates on the table who can earn points by playing each other, it will force teams just above them on the table to play them to avoid being overtaken. In turn, this will give the Associates greater experience, and a chance to move up the table themselves. If Kenya can make it onto the table, it will put them very firmly in the driving seat in regards to the other Associate members, and also to a certain extent teams like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and even currently the West Indies. This could be a very good couple of months for Kenyan Cricket, should we get the right results on the pitch. Well done to Samir Inamdar, and his team at Cricket Kenya, Keep up the good work!
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Actually Bangladesh has been playing very spirited cricket over last few months. During this time they have defeated Australia in England, India in Bangladesh and Srilanka in Bangladesh. Besides they have won a full sereis (both one day and test) against Zimbabwe in Bangladesh. The standard of their cricket has also been increased drammatically which is good for cricket worldwide. We appreciate Kenya's effort towards good cricket and we wish their good luck in international cricket. However, we hope they will be able to learn the heat of cricket at this level during their next Bangladesh tour. Bangladesh is always very encouraging and supportive for associate members. Arrangement of a tour for Kenya in Bangladesh is an evedence of that fact.
I'm taking it anonymous, that you are from Bangladesh...
It is true Bangladesh have improved, and I think this will be thr toughest series Kenya have played against them, as I mentioned in a separrate post. They have also been one of the most supportive full members of the associates, although they did put off the Kenya tour 3 times before it was confirmed, due in no small part to pressure from the ICC. I hope they continue to support the Associates as they move up the rankings themselves - which they will certainly do. In regards this next series, and the results, we shall see!
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