Downtime

Due to some unavoidable circumstances, I will not be able to post over this weekend. Hopefully everything will be back to normal by Monday or Tuesday.

My apologies for not keeping up to date with the Atul Shah Memorial Tournament and other news during that time. I will of course endeavour to catch up once everything is sorted out.

CCA vs. Uganda 08/06/06 Scorecard

Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi………….St..Fazal……………..…P.Patel……………68
Lawrence Sematimba…Ct..&..B……………Pindoria…………..25
Hamza Saleh………….Bowled………………...Gami……..………..37
Kenneth Kamyuka……Bowled…………..…..Kayne……..………..2
Benjamin Musoke…….Ct..Arazi…………….Kayne……….…….15
Akbar Baig……………Run Out (P.Patel)……..........…………….17
Frank Njunuga………..Ct..Abbas…………...Gami…….………..10
Jimmy Okello…………Run Out (Arazi)…............................….1
Raymond Otim………..NOT OUT……............................……..3
Emmanuel Itaneez…….Ct..Kayne………….Gami…………..…..2
Davis Arinaitwe……….NOT OUT…………….................……….1
Extras…………………………………………….................................20
Total…For…9…Wickets………………....................................201
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CCA Bowling:
Bowler……………….….Overs…………..Runs……………Wickets
Irfan Khan…………………6………………33……….…………0
Harish Pindoria………...6………………36………………….1
Tabit Mohammed……..4……….………14.…………………0
Bharat Halai……….…….5……………….31…....……………0
Stewart Kayne…...…….10…..…………40…....……………2
Pradeep Patel…………..10…..…………22..…………………1
Rashmi Gami………..….9……......……22………........……3
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CCA Innings
Mohammed Arazi……Ct..Sematimba……..Kamyuka.……….0
Mohammed Fazal……Ct..Arinaitwe…………Njunuga…..…..41
Stewart Kayne…………Ct..Olwenyi……………Itaneez.......……15
Sanjay Patel…………….Ct..Olwenyi…………..Kamyuka….…….2
Bharat Halai…………...Ct..&..B………………...Okello..............23
Zaheer Abbas…….......Ct..&..B..............…….Okello….............2
Harish Pindoria.........Ct..Olwenyi…………...Njunuga……….19
Pradeep Patel…..........Bowled………………….Arinaitwe…......6
Irfan Khan……….........St..Sematimba…......Baig...............…7
Thabith Mohammed…Ct..Musoke....……….Baig…..…………6
Rashmi Gami………………NOT OUT………........…………………1
Extras………………………………………………................…………..8
Total…All…Out…………………….......................………………..130
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler………………….Overs……………Runs…………..Wickets
Kenneth Kamyula………7..………...….20………………..2
Emmanuel Itaneez……..7….……….....21………………..1
Jimmy Okello…………….10…………….18………………..2
Joel Olwenyi……………….4…..…………15………………..0
Frank Njunuga………….10……………..30………………..2
Davis Arinaitwe………….7……….……..17………………..1
Akbar Baig……………….2.2........………5….……………...1

CCA vs Uganda 08/06/06 Scorecard

Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi………….St..Fazal……………………P.Patel……………68
Lawrence Sematimba…Ct..&..B………………Pindoria…………..25
Hamza Saleh………….Bowled……………………..Gami……………..37
Kenneth Kamyuka……Bowled…………………….Kayne……………..2
Benjamin Musoke…….Ct..Arazi……………….…Kayne…………….15
Akbar Baig……………Run Out (P.Patel)……………………………….17
Frank Njunuga………..Ct..Abbas………........…Gami……………..10
Jimmy Okello…………Run Out (Arazi)………………………………….1
Raymond Otim………..NOT OUT………………………………………..3
Emmanuel Itaneez…….Ct..Kayne……...........…Gami……………..2
Davis Arinaitwe……….NOT OUT……………..………………………….1
Extras……………………………................…………………………………20
Total…For…9…Wickets……………………………………….………….201
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CCA Bowling:
Bowler……………….….Overs…………..Runs……………Wickets
Irfan Khan…………………6………………33…………....………0
Harish Pindoria…………….6………………36………………….1
Tabit Mohammed………….4………………14…………………0
Bharat Halai……………….5……………….31……………..……0
Stewart Kayne…………….10………………40…………………2
Pradeep Patel……………...10………………22…………………1
Rashmi Gami……………….9………………22…………….……3
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CCA Innings
Mohammed Arazi……..Ct..Sematimba…………Kamyuka……….0
Mohammed Fazal……..Ct..Arinaitwe…………..Njunuga………..41
Stewart Kayne……………Ct..Olwenyi………………Itaneez…………15
Sanjay Patel………………Ct..Olwenyi………………Kamyuka……….2
Bharat Halai……..………Ct..&..B……………...…….Okello………….23
Zaheer Abbas……………..Ct..&..B………………..….Okello…………..2
Harish Pindoria…………Ct..Olwenyi……………...Njunuga……….19
Pradeep Patel……………Bowled…………………....Arinaitwe……….6
Irfan Khan………………..St..Sematimba…………..Baig…….....……7
Thabith Mohammed…Ct..Musoke…………..……Baig………..……6
Rashmi Gami………………NOT OUT……....……………………………1
Extras…………………………………………...........………………………....8
Total…All…Out……………………………..........………………...……..130
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler………………….Overs……………Runs…………..Wickets
Kenneth Kamyula…………7……………….20………………..2
Emmanuel Itaneez…………7……………….21………………..1
Jimmy Okello……………..10………………18………………....2
Joel Olwenyi……………….4……………….15…………...……..0
Frank Njunuga…………….10………………30………………..2
Davis Arinaitwe…………...7………………..17………………..1
Akbar Baig………………...2.2………………5……………..…...1

Uganda Breeze To Atul Shah Final

Uganda ended up with an easy 72 run victory over the Coast XI yesterday as the run chase faltered amid tumbling wickets and tight bowling. Mohammed Fazal did for a time look as though he could keep the Coast team in the run chase, but when he was dismissed for 41, with the required run rate ballooning, it was all but over. With the Ugandans accounting for Kenya A yesterday, this now sees them through to Sunday's final. With 2 wins from 2 games, and an almost certain victory coming against Tanzania on Saturday, this is a really good effort from them, and shows just how much Uganda have improved recently. What has been impressive about their wins is that they have been team efforts. They are not just relying on one man to do the job, and that must be very satisfying for the Ugandan selectors.
Kenya A were convincing yesterday over Tanzania, so it is now CCA's turn to re-group and focus on Saturday's match. Both teams having beaten Tanzania, but lost to Uganda, it will come down to the winner of Saturday's match to provide Uganda's opponents in the final. Kenya A will go in as the favourites to do this, especially if the selectors choose the best players in the squad. CCA however have several players in their team who will feel they should be included in the squad to Denmark, and will be going all out to prove this. It should be a fascinating match as we get to see the best from Mombasa take on the best young players from Nairobi.

Kenya A vs. Uganda Scorecard

Kenya A innings:
Timothy Muange………..Ct..Kamyuka…………….Okello……….…12
Jadavji Jasani……………Ct..Arinaitwe……………Njunuga……….25
Brijal Patel……………......Ct..Okello………….…….Njunuga……….60
Malhar Patel……………...Ct..Otim…….……………Njunuga……….10
Nehemiah Odhiambo……Run Out….....…………………………………1
Alex Obanda……………....St..Sematimba…………..Baig………...….1
Peter Kituku………….…...St..Sematimba…………..Arinaitwe…....5
David Maina……………...Ct..Saleh…………….....…..Arinaitwe….…0
Rajesh Bhudia……………Ct..Njunuga………....…….Arinaitwe…..10
Hiren Patel………………....Run Out……......……......................…..11
Laxman Jadavji…………..NOT OUT………………...……………………2
Extras.......................................................................................5
Total…All…Out……………............………………….........…….……..142
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler…………….........…Overs……………Runs………………Wickets
Kenneth Kamyuka…....…7………....……….18………………..……0
Emmanuel Itaneez………7………....………..11…….…………….…0
Jimmy Okello…………..…1…………….....…..2……..………….…….1
Joel Olwenyi…………...….6………...………..27………….…….……0
Frank Njunuga………….9.3………....………20….…………….……3
Davis Arinaitwe…………10……….....………27….………………….3
Akbar Baig……………..…10………….....……32……..……………….1
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Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi...................St..Kituku................Odhiambo…..18
Lawrence Sematimba....LBW........................R.Bhudia.........7
Hamza..Saleh..................Ct..&..B....................R.Bhudia......14
Kenneth..Kamyuka.........Run..Out........................................3
Benjamin..Musoke..........NOT..OUT....................................54
Akbar..Baig......................Ct..Jasani................Jadavji.........26
Frank Njunuga...............Ct..Muange.............Jadavji............5
Jimmy..Okello..................LBW.......................Odhiambo.....0
Raymond..Otim...............NOT..OUT...................................10
Emmanuel Itaneez…….…..............Did not bat
Davis Arinaitwe………................…Did not bat
Extras......................................................................................6
Total…For….6….Wickets......................................................143
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Kenya A Bowling:
Bowler…………………..........Overs……………..Runs………..Wickets
Nehemiah Odhiambo……..10……..……………31………..…..…2
Rajesh Bhudia…………….....9.4………………...28…….......……2
Laxman Jadavji………….....10………..…………27…....…………2
Hiren Patel……………....…...10……………..……25……….......…0
Brijal Patel……………….....…4…………..……….13….....…………0
Peter Kituku……………....….4…………..………..14………....……0

Kenya A Trounce Tanzania

The good news is that Kenya A have turned around their form from yesterday to register a comprehensive win over Tanzania in their second match of the Atul Shah Memorial Tournament. Batting first, Tanzania were bundled out for 114 in just 24.2 overs. I am not sure yet who did the damage, as the full scorecard is not yet available.

In reply, Kenya A have coasted to victory with 8 wickets remaining. Brijal Patel made 45 of the runs to finish unbeaten alongside Tanmay Mishra who made 6. When I checked earlier, it looked like Timothy Muange was having a decent innings, so I'd say that he would have made a fair few of the remaining runs. A good result for Kenya A, though surprising that Mishra was picked to play against the weaker team rather than the stronger one. His presence may have made all the difference yesterday.

If CCA end up losing to Uganda today, this will set up a fascinating clash on Saturday to see whether the Coast team or Nairobi team play Uganda in the finals.

Full scorecard to be posted as soon as it is available.

Olwenyi Helps Uganda to Defendable Target.

Uganda decided to bat after winning the toss at the Gymkhana grounds this morning, and have set the CCA XI a total of 202 to win. If yesterday's scores are anything to go by, this could well be a winning total for the Ugandans. Unlike yesterday against Kenya A, where it was left to the middle order to get the runs, this time it was the openers who led the way for Uganda. Joel Olwenyi backed up his 18 from yesterday with a well crafted 68 before he was stumped off Pradeep Patel. Backed up by Lawrence Sematimba (25) and Hamza Saleh (37), he got Uganda off to a solid start before the boys from the coast struck back. Stewart Kayne, CCA's hero from yesterday again chipped in with the important wickets of Kenneth Kamyuka and Benjamin Musoke, but the pick of the bowling was Rashmi Gami who bowled 9 overs and conceeded only 22 runs for his 3 wickets.

CCA are in a spot of bother in their reply, again losing cheap early wickets. It is Kamyuka who has so far done the damage removing both Arazi (15) and Sanjay Patel (2). Stewart Kayne has also departed for 15 leaving CCA at 3-66 after 23. This leaves them with a required run rate of around 5 an over with 7 wickets in hand. Currently at the crease are Mohammed Fazal on 24 and Bharat Halai on 17. On a decent pitch, one would back CCA to give this a good shake from here, but on a bowler's track this will be no easy task. As I write, Halai has just fallen to Okello for 23. CCA now getting into real trouble on 4-70. Hopefully Fazal can produce something special!

Full scorecards to follow tomorrow with the final match report.

Complete Results From Jagir Singh Memorial

Here are the complete results from last weekend's 6-a-side tournament in Nakuru. It seems that everyone was very happy with how the event panned out, and the family of Late Mr Jagir Singh Jutley said they would be happy to sponsor the tournament on an annual basis. This is a most generous offer, and is to be applauded for their generosity. It is also worth noting here, the other sponsors who contributed to make the event a success:

APA Insurance,Bhogals Garage, Blueshield Ins,Bubwa Agencies,Evolution Computers,Farmparts Ltd,Kenya Comm Bank,Kenya Flexo,Spinknit Dairy,Stage Mattress, Terra Spares and Valley Bakery.

Events like these take a lot of planning, and voluntary comitments by plenty of people other than the organisers. Credit to all those who gave their time to make the weekend a success.

Match Results:

Saturday 3rd June:
Greensteds 1-39 beat Turi 38 all out.

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Diamond 3-40 beat Ruaraka 30 all out.

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Swamibapa A 1-44 beat RVSC 2-40.

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Team ASL awarded walkover against Simba Union (no-show).

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Kongonis 1-39 lost to Nbi Gymkhana 1-41.

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Crater 3-32 lost to Sir Ali 0-36

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Kanbis 2-58 A beat Swamibapa B 3-33

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Kanbis B 2-38 lost to Nbi Jaffreys 1-39

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Kanbis 2-54 A beat Nbi Gymkhana 29 all out.

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Diamond 3-31 lost to Sir Ali 0-32

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Team ASL 2-52 lost to Nbi Jaffreys 2-63

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Swamibapa A 1-64 beat Greensteds 3-40

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Sunday 4th June:

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Crater 2-26 lost to Kongonis 1-32

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Swamibapa B 2-28 lost to Nbi Gymkhana 1-29

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Ruaraka 3-14 lost to Kanbis B 2-36

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RVSC awarded walkover vs Turi (no-show).

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RVSC 5-24 lost to Nbi Gymkhana 2-25

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Kongonis 5-29 lost to Kanbis B 1-56
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Semi finals:
Kanbis A 3-59 beat Nbi Jaffreys 2-51 (not sure on this as Jafferys contested the final…)

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Swamibapa A 3-50 beat Sir Ali 4-47

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Finals Losers Plate:
Kanbis B 5-44 lost to Nbi Gymkhana 2-54

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Finals Winners Plate:
Nbi Jaffreys 3-51 lost to Swamibapa A 2-53
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The winners in various categories were:
Winners : Swamibapa A
Runners up : Nbi Jaffreys
Highest No of 6's : Thomas Odoyo - (Nbi Jaffreys)
Highest No of Runs (Individual) - Thomas Odoyo - 67 (Nairobi Jaffreys)
Highest score (Team) - Swamibapa A - 64 runs
Lowest Score (Team) - Ruaraka - 14 runs
Highest No of Wickets (Individual) - Rajab Ali (Greensteds)
Highest No of catches (Individual) - Rakeb (Nairobi Gymkhana)
Highest No of Stumpings & Catches (Wicket keeper) - Harpreet (Nairobi Gymkhana)
Winners (Losers Plate) - Nairobi Gymkhana
Runners - up (losers plate) - Kanbis B

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Umpires - Subhash Modi, Lalji Bhudia, David Odhiambo
Scorers - Sarju Desai & Peter Sawyers

Have Your Say On Cricket Kenya's Official Homepage

Well, things do finally seem to be happening in terms of an official website for Kenyan cricket's administrative body, Cricket Kenya. At the moment, the site is still under construction, but if you follow the link you will be able to put in your 2 bob's worth about what you would like to see on the site. I have already sent in my essay...

Uganda Defeat Kenya A

A dismal batting performance by Kenya A yesterday allowed Uganda to walk away with a 3-wicket victory in their first match of the Atul shah Memorial Tournament. Batting first after winning the toss, Kenya were restricted to 140 by the Ugandans. Captain Brijal Patel hit 60 and Hiren Varaiya made 25, but other than that, Kenya's batsmen were disappointing. In reply, Uganda struggled a little, but still managed to reach the target with 4 overs and 3 wickets to spare. Benjamin Musoke top scored for the Ugandans with 54.
The tournament website does not seem to have a scorecard or result up from this match yet, so I am going on Ernest Ndunda's article in the Standard (I assume the 1401 runs for Kenya is actually 140…). This result is certainly a set-back for Kenya, and they will have to come back with a big victory over Tanzania today if they are still to be in with a chance of making Sunday's final. Playing at Mombasa Sports Club, they will be hoping that the CCA can pull off another win when they take on Uganda at the Coast Gymkhana ground. A second win for either Uganda or the CCA will almost certainly give them the favourite's tag as well as a place in the final.
Following on from Kenya A's poor showing against Holland, it is very worrying that so few runs were scored yesterday. When one batsman reaches 60, one would expect at least one or two others to also get to decent scores. 140 is simply never going to be enough. The players in the 'A team' are those considered on the brink of the national team. If they struggle against an Associate team like Uganda, no disrespect meant, how are they going to fare against bowlers such as Flintoff and Vettori in the World Cup? Hopefully someone other than Patel will step up. His efforts in both matches are commendable, but we need to see efforts like this from the younger players. After all, they are the ones we will be looking to in the future. Let's hope they are able to do better today.

Kayne Spins CCA To Victory

Some superb bowling, led by Stewart Kayne with 5 wickets, took the CCA XI to a 52 run victory over Tanzania at the Coast Gymkhana Club in Mombasa yesterday. CCA won the toss and elected to bat, but ran in to early trouble as both openers fell cheaply. On what proved to be a bowler's wicket, most of the other batsman also seemed to struggle to get runs. All of Tanzania's bowlers were able to get amongst the wickets, and kept the run rate to about 3 an over. A couple of stands later on in the innings between Halai and Abbas, and then between Halai and Pradeep Patel gave the hosts some respectability, but in the end they were bowled out for 159 with six overs still remaining.

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Tanzania also started badly with opener Kikazi falling to Khan for a duck. For a while, Tanzania looked like they might be in control of the game as Patwa and Hussein set about chasing the total, but when Pradeep Patel and Kayne came on, things got sticky for the Tanzanians. It was largely due to the efforts from these two bowlers that the Coast XI were able to walk away with what was, in the end, a fairly comfortable victory. Patel finished with figures of 3-24, while Kayne did exceptionally well to take 5-38 off 10 with his spin. One of the bowlers who attended the Jenner Spin Clinic, he certainly looks like he put his refined skills to good use. It will be interesting to see how he fares against the stronger teams in the tournament, but Kenya will certainly be on the lookout for good spinners in the coming months, so watch this space.

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SCORECARD:

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CCA Innings:
Stewart Kayne……………...…Ct..Sethi……………Abdulla………11
Mohammed Sawjani……….Bowled………..…….Abdulla…….…3
Mohammed Fazal…………...Ct..Kikazi…………..Mwita……….16
Mohammed Arazi…………...Runout..(Kikazi)…….………………3
Sanjay Patel………………...…Ct..Manji……………Shani………...8
Zahir Abbas………………...…Ct.. Rehemtulla.....Kakonzi…….26
Bharat Halai……………….....Ct..Kikazi…………...Abdulla…….32
Harish Pindoria……………..LBW……..…………..Rehemtulla…..3
Pradeep Patel………………...Ct..Sethi……………Kakonzi….…..30
Irfan Khan………………...…..LBW…….…………...Shani…...……..3
Rashmi Gami……………..….Not Out………….....…………………..2
Extras…………………….........……………………………………………..22
Total All Out…..44.2..Overs…………………….…………………….159
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Tanzania Bowling:
Bowler…………....…..Overs……………Runs…………Wickets
Hamisi Abdulla……...…9………………..31………………3
Khalil Rehemtulla…..…9………………..36………………1
Hussein Shani…….…...7………………..27……………….2
Benson Mwita……..…..10……………….25……………….1
Athmani Kakonzi….…9.2………………39……………….2
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Tanzania Scorecard:
Issa Kikazi…………........…Ct..Fazal…………….....…Khan........0
Abhik Patwa………….......Ct.Mohammed ?…......P.Patel.……24
Abdul Hussein…………….Ct.Mohammed ?………Kayne.….….21
Aftab Manji………………..Ct.&.Bowled……...…….P.Patel….…..0
Benson Mwita……………..Ct.Mohammed ?………Kayne.…….15
Athmani Kakonzi………..Bowled……....…………...Kayne.….…..0
Hamisi Abdulla…………..Ct.. Halai…………...……Kayne….……5
Hussein Shani…………….Ct.P.Patel……..………....Kayne……..22
Khalil Rehemtulla……….Bowled…....………………Gami…..……3
Mohammed Khimji…….Ct..Kayne…………....…..P.Patel……..2
Anjel Sethi………………….Not Out……………........…………………0
Extras……………………………………………….........…………..……...14
Total..All..Out….29.1..Overs………………………………………….106
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Bowling:
Bowler……………....Overs……………Runs…………Wickets
Ifran Khan………….…4………………..14………..………1
Harish Pindoria…….5………………..14….…………….0
Zahir Abbas…………..1…………………9…….………….0
Stewart Kayne……….10……………..38……………..…5
Pradeep Patel………..6.1………….…24……………..…3
Rashmi Gami………...3…………………7…….………….1
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CCA Win By 52 Runs.

Atul Shah Updates

There has been a website set up to carry live(ish) updates of the tournament. It seems to be experiencing some initial difficulties, but does at least have a desktop scorecard of a sort currently running (click 'live desktop score'). According to the scorecard, CCA won the toss and elected to bat. Looking at the current score, I am guessing that this is something they are now seriously regretting. Tanzania have bowled very well with Hamisi removing Stewart Kayne for 11 and dangerman Mohammed Sawjani for 3. Other batsmen to have been dismissed (according to the 'full scorecard') include Mohammed Fazal (ct. Issa b. Benson -16 - sorry to mention that Shaneabbas), Mohammed Arazi (runout Issa - 3) and Sanjay Patel (ct. Aftab b. Hussien - 8). Zahir Abbas must also be out as the current batsmen are Bharat Halai on 29* and Pradeep Patel on 0*. Harish Pindoria is the last man out making 7. This is obviously not the start to the tournament that the CCA expected, and they will be hard pushed to come back from here. There are currently another 19 overs still remaining, but the challenge will be to bat them out. With only 3 wickets in hand, Halai is really going to have to hold it together if CCA are to post even a slightly defendable target. They are currently on 7-108.

If the CCA are doing badly, then Kenya A look to be doing even worse at the 32 over mark of their match against Uganda. The desktop scoreboard currently has the score sitting on 5-84. I can only hope that this is a misprint or that there has been a digit left off somewhere. If not, this could be a very embarrasing day's cricket for Kenya!

CCA take on Tanzania

Today's other match in the Atul Shah Tournament sees the local Coast XI taking on Tanzania at Coast Gymkhana. Tanzania, who will be using this tournament to warm up for their World Cup qualifying Africa group II stage in August are somewhat of an unknown, but are thought to be the weaker of the four teams taking part. The CCA team include a nice mixture of youth and experience, and have several players who will be on a mission to impress the selectors. Local advantage will no doubt feature in this tournament, so expect a strong showing from the local team.

Teams:

Tanzania (from):

Hamisi Abdalla (Cpt), Abik Patwa, Benson Mwita, Aftab Manji, Hassanain Damji, Athumani Kakonzi, Issa Kisa, Khalil Rehemtuula, Hussein Mohammed, Abdulkadir Nasser, Kazim Nasser, Kassim Nassoro, Enjo Seth.

CCA XI (from):

Sanjay Patel, Mohamed Sawjani, Stewart Kaynes, Mohamed Fazal, Zahir Abbas, Mohamed Arazi, Thabit, Harish Pindoria, Pradeep Patel, Rashmi Gami, Irfan Khan, Bharat Halai, Dinesh Patel, Hemal Hirani.

Kenya A Back in Action Today

The Atul Shah Memorial Tournament starts today in Mombasa bringing together Kenya A, Uganda, Tanzania and a CCA XI. Kenya A start with a match against an Ugandan side that have come with plenty to prove. Uganda kept Kenya out of the Under 19's World Cup, and have made huge strides in improving their game over the last couple of years. Of their 14 man squad, Davis Arinaitwe, Emmanuel Isaneez, Jimmy Okello, Raymond Otim and Roger Mukasa are all players who gained experience in the U19 World Cup. It is no secret that they will be hoping to spring another upset on the Kenyans when the two meet at Mombasa Sports Club this morning. Kenya A also have a lot to prove. Not only will they be playing for a place in the final of the tournament, which may well end up being a replay of today's match, but they will also have one eye on a place in the national team to play Bangladesh next month. It will be interesting from Kenya's perspective to see who the selectors choose for the A team this match. Brijal Patel will, one would think, be certain of his place as Captain. Tanmay Mishra is the class batsman in the side, and will also probably be a fairly automatic choice. It is worth noting that a couple of the players originally named in the squad seem to have been replaced. Lameck Onyango does not seem to feature (he was named as Vice Captain previously), nor does Hiren Variayi. Three players that were not originally included, but have been named in today's press release are Jadevji Jeshani, Peter Kituku and Dharshit Shah. There is no explanation of this in the release, but it could be due to injury. Certainly in Onyango's case, he has had his year severly undermined by this so far. No doubt the players will be rotated to a certain extent through the tournament to ensure they all get a game, but expect the players the selectors consider the strongest to be the ones named today. It should be a thrilling match, and well worth going down to watch for anyone in Mombasa.

Teams:

Kenya A (from):

Brijal Patel (Cpt), Nehemiah Odhiambo, Alfred Luseno, Morris Ouma, Malhar Patel, Tanmay Mishra, Rajesh Bhudia, Ashish Karia, Alex Obanda, Jadavji Bhimji, Timothy Muange, David Maina, Jadavji Jeshani, Peter Kituku, Dharshit Shah.

Uganda (from):

Joel Olwenyi, Lawrence Sematimba, Hamza Saleh, Kenneth Kamyuka, Jimmy Okello, Akber Baig, Franco Nsubuga, Raymond Otim, Davies Arinaitwe, Emmanuel Isaneez, Jonathan Ssebanja, Rogers Mukasa, Henry Sebulime, Benjamin Musoke.

Runs Keep Flowing For Clegg

Kenyans overseas weekly wrap up:

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James Clegg continued his good run with the bat for Fairburn over the Weekend making 64 in their victory over defending champions Garford. Clegg, who has a Kenyan mother, has expressed an interest in a spot in the Kenyan team in the future. With an average of over 60 in all forms of competition so far, this is perhaps not such a far fledged idea. He will of course have to fulfil the qualifying criteria, but is still young, so has plenty of time in which to do this.

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Hitesh Modi continues to be side lined as he waits for his finger to recover after surgery. Hopefully he will be able to return for club side Chesham soon, though they still managed to notch up a win without their skipper over the weekend.

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In Denmark, Amit Bhudia is also having to keep patient as his club Herning are in the middle of a three week spell without cricket. Last week, their opponents were granted a postponement due to difficulty in raising a team. This weekend, no matches were scheduled as the national team were playing a practice match against a select XI. With next week's matches also postponed due to Denmark's visit to Holland, it will be a frustrating time for Amit in the lead up to Kenya A's tour. It may though be a blessing in disguise as it will give his injured shoulder a decent length of time to heal without the stress of playing.

Swamibapa 6-a-side Champs

Initial reports from Nakuru are confirming Swamibapa as Champions of the Jagir Singh Memorial Tournament in Nakuru. They defeated Nairobi Jaffery in the final, which I'm assuming meant the latter upset Kanbis in the semis. Nairobi Gymkhana took home the Loser's Plate. Hopefully, more complete details of the other matches will filter through soon. Thanks to Shailesh for the initial report.

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Also from Nakuru is the news that the weekend's scheduled Akshar League match between Diamond Club and Kericho was postponed to allow the teams a chance to see the national players in action.

Bangladesh Are Coming To Kenya!

Finally, the news that all Kenyan cricket fans have been waiting for has been confirmed: Bangladesh will visit Kenya next month to play a series of three One Day Internationals. The Tigers will meet Kenya in the first match on Wednesday 19th July, then play two more games on Friday 21st and Sunday 23rd. All of the games will be played at Kenya's top ground, Nairobi Gymkhana. Bangladesh are visiting Kenya in preparation for their 5 match tour of Zimbabwe, and will no doubt be looking at the tour as a means of getting more points under their belt in the ICC rankings.

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For Kenya, this is a fantastic coup. Firstly, and most importantly, we will be hosting a Test playing nation. It will be a great opportunity to showcase the game in Kenya and generate interest amoungst the public. It will also seriously strengthen Cricket Kenya's position in their search for a sponsor for the national team. Then there will be the further experience gained by the players against a quality side. In the lead up to the matches against Canada and Bermuda, this will prove invaluable. Finally, it will give Kenya a chance to exact revenge for the 4-0 drubbing we received earlier in the year. I mention this last, as it is going to be a huge ask for the team to achieve this, and in the long term, it is the least important. I'm sure however, that it will be one of the things we see talked about in the press. Realistically, Kenya will do well to win even one match, but if our players can perform to their potential, which on the whole didn't happen when we toured Bangladesh, it is certainly a possibility.

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Now that the administrators have done their part and secured the opponents, it is now time for the selectors and coaches to do their bit. With the A team in action over the next month, there will certainly be a chance for some of the youngsters to state a case for national selection, so it will be interesting to see what approach the selectors take. My view is that they should pick a large initial squad to go into training, and then whittle it down with the understanding that places are also up for grabs by those currently playing for the A team. It is then up to Roger Harper and the captain to drum the team into shape in just over a month. Plenty of hard work ahead, but there is a definite prize at the end of it for those who prove themselves worthy.

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The fixtures list has now been updated to include this tour.