Kenya Team Back In Training

The National team is today scheduled to resume training at the Aga Khan Sports Ground in Nairobi in preparation for the tour to Bangladesh. Under the watchful eye of Coach Roger Harper, the players will be put through their paces today and tomorrow before playing two internal matches, also at Aga Khan. It will no doubt be an intense few days for the squad as the coach tries to iron out some of the problems from the Zimbabwe tour, and maybe looks at a few changes.

Thomas Odoyo's absence will be the most keenly felt, as he is attending his mother's funeral. As man-of-the-series against Zimbabwe, it is hoped he will be able to rejoin the rest of the squad before the tour commences.

There are several places in the team that are up for grabs. In Ravidu Shah's continuing absence, Kenya have tried several replacement openers, so far with little success. Maurice Ouma, chosen for the trip to Zimbabwe failed to impress, and in the one chance he got, David Obuya also did little to trouble the scorers. Both players have potential, but maybe someone else needs to take on the responsibility of getting the Kenyan innings off to a good start. With Kennedy Otieno in form, this position is crucial to Kenya being able to post a good target. Having two capable batsmen at the top of the order would also take the pressure off the middle order and allow them to play their shots to greater effect.

The number 3 slot is also a concern of some note. In the four matches in Zimbabwe, Tony Suji totalled a mere 68 runs for an average of 17. There may have been worse performances, but the speed he scored at is a worry for a batsman in that position. He faced 140 balls for his runs, so scored at less than 3 runs an over. Compare that with the other number 3s around in the international game, and there is a huge gulf that needs to be bridged. I am not against Tony's selection in the team, far from it. He is more than capable as a batsman, but later in the innings, and proved again in Zimbabwe that he can still take wickets with the ball. Suji at 3 was an experiment worth trying, but it is now time to give someone else a chance. Two batsmen who should be strongly considered for the above positions are Tanmay Mishra and Amit Bhudia. Both are young, so will have time to grow into the slots over the next few years, and both have talent. Mishra performed will in Zimbabwe, and only nerves prevented him from registering his first fifty. It is a waste to have such talent batting down the order.

Kenya's bowling line up also needs strengthening. Only two bowlers performed with distinction in Zimbabwe: Thomas Odoyo marched to his 70th ODI wicket in claiming man-of-the-series, and Peter Ongondo showed that he has really come of age. Indeed, his eleven wickets for the tour at 9.9 was an exceptional effort. If he can maintain this form in Bangladesh, he could well develop into a great replacement for Martin Suji. If Suji is not fit to return to the side (no news either way so far), Kenya need to find two more bowlers capable of taking wickets. Of those taken on tour to Zimbabwe, Luseno and Ababu never managed to set the World on fire, and Ngoche only got a brief, if expensive, chance. All of the three can however make a case for being taken to Bangladesh. Ababu because of his great form domestically, though this means little if he can't get international wickets, and the other two as they will figure in Kenya's future. It was a waste to see Kalpesh Patel taken on tour, and never given a chance. He deserves the opportunity to show what he can do this next time around. Whoever does get a ticket needs to step up and begin taking wickets at this level.

After the Zimbabwe tour, these players would be my picks for an automatic slot to Bangladesh:
Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Otieno, Peter Ongondo, Tanmay Mishra, Jimmy Kamande, Tony Suji (as an all rounder, not a batsman).

There are a couple who didn't get enough of a run to really tell, so should probably get a second chance: Kalpesh Patel, David Obuya.

Then there are those who in my opinion should consider their places under pressure:
Brijal Patel - Weighed in with 2 useful wickets, but was dismal with the bat. His best argument for selection is that he is a leftie who can bowl off breaks.
Maurice Ouma: Had a nightmare tour as opener. He is probably talented enough to deserve a second chance lower down the order. Has to start making runs again if he wants to be retained.
Alfred Luseno: Another youngster with lots of talent, but little to show for it so far. His pace could be a potent weapon if it can be channelled correctly.
Nehemiah Odhiambo Ngoche: Was expensive in his only 4 overs in Zimbabwe. That one bad spell though should not be enough to keep him from a second opportunity. We need to find out to a greater extent his long term potential for Kenya.
Josephat Ababu: He is still not taking wickets in international matches. Domestic form can be great, but it will do Kenya no good if he gets a ticket and again fails to deliver.

Some of the players Kenya need to examine with a thought to this and future tours:
Moses Otieno - Showing potential with the ball in the domestic comp.
Mohammed Sheikh - Can spin the ball, and take wickets. He missed out on Zimbabwe as his employer would not release him from work. Cricket Kenya need to try and find ways around this sort of situation. If Collins Obuya is still struggling for form, Kenya needs someone like Mohammed to take over the spinning duties.
Collins Obuya - Please someone tell me he is getting his spinning going again. If he is in form, Collins can be a genuine match winner for Kenya. Out of form, he will get belted out of the park, and do his confidence no good.
Rashmi Ghami - I think he is a leftie, and he is another spin option. He has definite potential for Kenya, but it may be a bit early. Hopefully a certainty for the 'A' team against Holland if he misses out on Bangladesh.
Amit Bhudia - Could be a welcome inclusion to Kenya's batting line up. I felt he was unlucky to miss out on Zimbabwe.
Ragab Aga: Once tipped by Tikolo as a future captain. Is a useful bowler, and is young while still having some experience.

There are plenty of others in the squad who will be putting their hands up for selection. All the best to those in the mix; for those that miss out - remember there is still the Kenya 'A' vs Holland match to showcase their skills.