Trounced

Another serving of humble pie was doled out to Kenya yesterday as a team including many of our potential squad for the World Cup was handed a belting by the visiting acadamy side from Australia. Losing the toss, we were put in to bat on a wicket that is a batsman's nightmare in the morning. Only Kennedy Obuya (44) and stand-in captain Thomasa Odoyo (36) troubled the scorers as Kenya were bundled out for 143 in 43 of the allocated 50 overs. Edmilson was the pick of the visiting bowlers with figures of 7.1-0-20-3.

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In reply, the CBCE openers T Paine (66*) and S Marsh (70*) raced to the total in a mere 28.3 overs handing Kenya their worst defeat so far this year. While the pitch may be a bowler's paradise in the morning, there can really be no hiding behind excuses. We were handed a thrashing and something must be done to teach the batsmen to excercise patience, to build innings and partnerships and the importance of batting out the full 50 overs. Not that the latter would have helped looking at yesterday's scores. It is a real shame that our bowlers are not getting the chance they need to show their worth.

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I suppose the one bit of good news from the match was Kennedy Obuya getting into the runs again. His 44 may have taken 78 balls, but highlights the importance of staying at the crease and playing oneself into form. Hopefully he will be able to build on this innings over the next couple of games and restore his confidence and form fully.

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SCORECARD:

Kenya innings:

K. Obuya..............................44
M.Ouma................................0
T. Suji....................................5
M. Patel................................18
T. Mishra..............................12
C. Obuya................................0
T. Odoyo...............................36
R. Patel...................................1
N. Odhiambo........................8
P. Ongondo...........................0
H. Varaiya.............................0
Total..all..out..43 overs......143
143 all out in 43 overs

F of W 1-2, 2-11, 3-54, 4-80, 5-80, 6-115, 7-120, 8-140, 9-140, 10-143

CBCE Bowling:
Sullivan........9-1-25-2
Edmilson......7.1-0-20-3
Drew.............6-2-22-1
C Bailey........10-2-31-2
Vogel.............8-1-24-2
G bailey........2-0-13-0

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CBCE Innings:
T Paine...........................66*
S Marsh...........................70*
28.3 overs
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Kenya Bowling:
T. Odoyo............6-1-28-0
P Ogondo...........7-0-31-0
N Odhiambo.....5-0-29-0
H.Variaya..........6-0-19-0
R. Patel..............3.3-0-21-0
C. Obuya.............1-0-15-0
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A horrible thing to publish that - here's hoping the weekend brings different results.

Players For Winter Training Camp Confirmed

Kenya's four players selected to go to the Winter Training Camp in Pretoria, South Africa have all verbally confirmed their availability. All the players selected are expected to play a role for Kenya in the upcoming World Cup, but are also all players with plenty of years ahead of them in which to make use of the skills learnt. This was a major factor in their selection as Kenya look to life beyond West Indies 2007.

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Hiren Vayaiya (22), Maurice Ouma (23), Nehemiah Odhiambo (23) & Tanmay Mishra (19) have all represented Kenya this year and, with the exception of Ouma have all given glimpses of their potential. It is good to see the Kenyan selectors going for players that will not only play for us in the Windies, but whom may well form the backbone of the team over the next decade.

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Mishra is at 19 the youngest of the players selected, but he is also perhaps the one from whom most is expected. Despite his age, he has shown maturity with the bat against almost all of Kenya's opponents so far this year. While he has not yet made a half century in an ODI, he has come close and his average of 25.33 is one that should rise over the coming year once he convinces himself he can get past this milestone. He went some way to realising his true potential with an unbeaten 83 against Canada in the first innings of the Intercontinental Cup and one imagines was an almost automatic choice for a spot. Should get a lot out of this opportunity.

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Hiren Varaiya also came to the fore against Canada where he took 3/27 on debut in the Intercontinental Cup and followed it up with 4/25 on his ODI debut. Unlike Mishra, his average of 11.71, economy of 3.51 and strike rate of 20 may all suffer as he comes up against stiffer opposition, but he has the potential to also develop into a match winner for us. He has been working recently on taking more wickets rather than worrying overly about his economy and it certainly worked against Canada. I am not sure why he was left out against Bangladesh, but it is great to see him given this chance to improve his game. He has a very professional approach, so should derive maximum benefit from the camp.

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Nehemiah Odhiambo was one of the three Kenyans who attended last year's camp, and surprised many by returning with the greatest improvement. With a strike rate of 53.5 in ODIs and an economy of 5.21, there is still plenty of room for improvement, but his first class average of 16.28 and economy of 3.95 give some indication as to what he is capable of. Nehemiah really came into his own this year with 5/54 against Canada in the Intercontinental Cup and will be hoping this camp has a similar effect on him in his second year. If it does, he could develop into a very useful bowler indeed for Kenya.

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Maurice Ouma is the oldest player being sent by Kenya and the one with the greatest need to make the most of it. This time last year, he was in fine form as Kenya thumped Zimbabwe A, but little has gone right for him recently. Potentially a long-term replacement for Kennedy Obuya, he needs to regain his confidence in his ability and learn the concentration needed to survive as an opener. He will also need to make some big strides in his wicketkeeping if he is to claim that position as his own. His selection in the four an indication of the selector's faith that he can do both. Hossain Ayob once described him as a star in the making, let's hope the camp helps realise that somewhat sidetracked potential.

Kenya Tour Dates To Uganda Released

Kenya's rumoured tour to Uganda is now confirmed for the end of next month with three ODIs and a 3-day game all scheduled to take place at the Lugogo oval. Kenya are due to arrive in Kampala on Thursday 21st September and play back to back One Dayers on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. There is then a day's break before the final One Dayer on the Tuesday. The 3-day match will be played over the following weekend, starting on Friday 29th and concluding on Sunday October 1st.

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This is a great step for Kenyan, and indeed Ugandan cricket and can only be good for cricket in the region. As I said in an earlier post, the rise of Tanzania and Uganda is a golden opportunity for Kenya and with today's announcement, it looks like the administrators are keen to grab hold of it. Especially pleasing is seeing the 3-day match included. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first multi-day game that has been organised between Associates without the ICC being the driving force. It is a definite step towards improving the quality of cricket for both national teams and credit to both Cricket Kenya and the Ugandans for taking this initiative. May it be the first of many similar.

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I am not yet sure what strength squad Kenya will send, but with the Bermuda visit drawing ever closer, one would like to see many of the players expected to play in that series make the trip to Kampala. Already, the national team includes a fair proportion of youngsters and tours like this one to Uganda are the perfect way to prepare them for tougher matches ahead. Also, Uganda have proved that they are better than our A team and warrant a crack at our national side in at least some of the matches as a result. It will be an interesting tour not only in terms of team selection, but cricketing wise as well. For Kenya, we must come back with a victory in the One-day series as well as the 3-day match. Unless it is our A team sent, anything else will cause some serious questions to be asked.

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In due course I will do a preview of the tour, but for the time being I think we can begin to look forward to a really good period of growth in cricket within the region. Hopefully the national media will take note of this tour and increase awareness amongst the general population as a result. Today is a good day for Kenyan cricket.

Cricket In The Wild

Cricket will be played in one of the most beatiful, if unlikely of locations this weekend as Ol Pejeta Conservancy play host to Kenya’s first ever “10:10” cricket tournament. Organised to raise funds for the conservancy, the event kicks off on Friday 1st and continues over Saturday and Sunday. The following is an edited version of the press release from the organisers:

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There are a total number of seven teams; they will be split into two leagues with each team required to play at least three games.

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All teams are required to raise a minimum of KSh: 100,000 sponsorship. All funds will go towards the Ol Pejeta community assistance programme. This programme assists local people in the development of health and education services, water and road infrastructure, eco-tourism based enterprise and agricultural extension. Ol Pejeta conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and to generate income through wildlife, tourism and complementary enterprise for reinvestment in conservation and community development
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The first game is scheduled to start at 12.00pm on Friday the 1st, and we hope to complete the tournament no later than 14.40hrs on Sunday 3rd, followed by a prize giving ceremony which includes the team that raised most sponsorship, the winning tournament team and the most humorous “sledgers”.

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Spectators are welcome for the duration of the event at a nominal charge of KSh: 500 per vehicle or aircraft to be put towards the Ol Pejeta community assistance programme. Ol Pejeta will provide shade structures and limited chairs, players and spectators should bring there own chairs if possible. General facilities include a comprehensive cash bar at the pitch side, food outlet (selling burgers, hot-dogs, bacon sandwiches, samosas etc cash basis) and toilets. On Saturday entertainment for children will be provide in the form of a bouncy castle, face painting, a magic man and acrobats and on Saturday the East African Womens League will be providing a BBQ lunch featuring Ol Pejeta beef.

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Kenya has a great tradition of such sporting events that raise money for charity. Some of the better known are the Lewa Marathon, The Rhino Charge and Diani Rules. It is great to see cricket joining the party and helping make our nation just that little bit better. For those who would like to know more, you can visit the website. I may also look at posting the schedule here tomorrow as well if I get time.

Kericho Win First Akshar Semi-Final

Eldoret met league winners Kericho at the NCA ground on Sunday for the first semi-final of the Akshar League. Akshar A meet Akshar B next week to decide the other finalist. Kericho won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on a warm, sunny day. Both teams have the same aggressive approach to the game, so it was always on the card that the team winning the toss would try to put a big total on the board to put pressure on the opposition.

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Tejas gave Eldoret an excellent start bowling a great first 5 overs. He bowled Dipu with an slower off cutter delivery and next ball beat Jignesh for pace with an out swinger that was edged to the keeper who dropped a lollypop. Eldoret will be rueing the decision to field a novice wicketkeeper in the semi-finals as Jignesh then went on a rampage. He hit six 6s and twelve 4s on his way to 124 not out from 103 balls. In the end, it was only fatigue that could put the brakes on and he was forced to retire. Despite Eldoret managing to remove several of the other Kericho batsmen cheaply, Jignesh's century - the first of the tournament, meant that Kericho went into the break with a total of 234 all out.

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Eldoret's reply got off to a disasterous start with both openers caught on the boundary trying to make an early dent in the required run rate. It was a situation they were never able to climb out of, and though Bhavin made a fighting 36 late on in the innings, it was too little too late as Kericho bowled them out for 119 to secure their place in the finals. Man of the match Jignesh chipping in with 3 wickets to add to his superb batting effort.

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Eldoret, who forfeited two matches during the league stage may now be regretting that they did not play and wishing they had got themselves into a position to play either of the Akshar teams instead. Kericho have two weeks to prepare for the final which will most likely be against Akshar A. A great effort by them, and if Sunday was anything to go by, they will go into that match as red hot favourites.

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SCORECARD:

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Kericho Innings:
Dipu.................Bowled..............Tejas.............00
Pinakin............Bowled...............Rakesh..........25
Jignesh............Retired....................................124*
Dipesh Praj.....Bowled..............Vishal.............13
Virag...............Ct..Dharmesh....Tejas..............15
Lalji.................Ct..Dharmesh....Tejas.............00
Akshay.............Bowled..............Ketan.............02
Nitesh.............Ct..Yogesh..........Bhavin...........19
Dilpesh............Bowled...............Vishal............00
Vipul...............Run Out....................................01
Rashmi...........Not Out.....................................00
Extras................................................................35
Total......All...Out..............................................234
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Eldoret Innings:
Chetan............Ct..Virag.............Pinakin.........00
Tejas...............Ct..Virag.............Pinakin.........04
Ketan..............Bowled................Nitesh...........07
Dharmesh......Ct..Dipesh...........Nitesh...........07
Vishall.............Run Out...................................00
Rakesh............Ct..Lalji...............Rashmi..........13
Nikunj............Bowled................Jignesh.........00
Bhavin............Ct..Dipesh..........Jignesh..........36
Ritesh.............Ct..&..B................Rashmi.........11
Swapnesh.......Bowled................Jignesh.........00
L.Vekaria........Bowled................Rashmi.........00
Extras.................................................................41
Total...All...Out.................................................119

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Note: Not sure why 11 wickets seem to have been taken by Kericho. I can only assume one of the latter ones was in fact not out.

Cricket In the Press

Both the Standard and Nation today carry cricket stories which is nice to see.

Richard Mwangi in the Nation concentrates on the Super Division clash between Kanbis and Nairobi Gymkhana which Kanbis went on to win by 28 runs. Odoyo and Jadavji Jesani the main contributors with the bat for Kanbis. Several youngsters on the fringes of the national team get a mention, as does Ravindu Shah who managed 7. Judging by the Standard's report however, he is still a while away from match fitness, so no need to read too much into that.

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Oscar Pilipili's article makes a big deal of Ravindu not being included in the squad to face the visiting Australians, but it seems like a fair call to me. He was called up for training to guage his fitness which was deemed insufficient to play for the national team. Not surprising considering he was out for the best part of two years and has only played three domestic matches since returning. Given time, he will no doubt make his way back into the team, but he must be in the correct shape to do so otherwise his inclusion will do neither him nor the Kenyan team any good. According to the article, Roger Harper says he has been working hard to improve the concentration levels at the top of the order. I certainly hope so, as the lack of runs in that department has become a real worry. No doubt we shall see how effective he has been come Thursday.

Kenya Team To Play Australian Development Side

Kenya selectors have named the side to take on The Commonwealth Centre Of Excellence team from Australia in three One Day matches starting on Thursday. The second and third matches will be layed over the weekend with all matches to be hosted by Nairobi Gymkhana. Kenya look to be fielding a fairly strong team with many of the players selected already this year either keeping their spots or making a return.

Steve Tikolo will be captain assisted by the on-form Thomas Odoyo who was in fine form for Kanbis again over the weekend. Other players included in the team are:
Kennedy Obuya - probably on his wicketkeeping form rather than his batting which we all hope will return to what it used to be.
Tony Suji - Returns after missing out against Bangladesh.

Tanmay Mishra.
Collins Obuya.
Peter Ongondo.
Nehemiah Odhiambo
Maurice Ouma - showed signs against Bangladesh that he might be improving. Will be a good learning experience for him.
Malhar Patel.
Hiren Variaya - great to see him back in the side. In my opinion should never have been dropped against Bangladesh.
David Obuya - recalled after being dropped following an ordinary start to the year.
Alfred Luseno.
Rakheb Patel.

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Interesting to see Suji and David Obuya getting a recall. So far, I am not aware that either has done that well in the NPCA league and I would have thought this would be a perfect opportunity to give a real go to some of the youngsters like Ashish Karia and Timothy Muange who have been hovering on the sidelines, but never really given a decent chance. It is good to see Rakheb Patel included for the first time as it looks like he can bat a bit as well as bowl. Luseno, Ouma, Malhar Patel, Odhiambo, Mishra and Variaya are all youngsters that have potential but need more exposure, so great to see them in the side. Lets hope they are able to learn from the experience and make the selectors take note ahead of Kenya's next full International series which will be against Bermuda in November.

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This will be a tough series for Kenya as the Australian visitors include many who are tipped as future Australian Internationals. They play a tough brand of cricket, and it will do our youngsters the World of good to be exposed to it. All credit to those who organised this visit, and all the best to the team.

Cricket Kenya's Website

The following is a transcript from my email to the site administrators. I think it speaks for itself about my thoughts on the Official site for Kenyan cricket:

Why is the Website not being updated?
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5 ODI's have been played by Kenya since the site was last updated.
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There is no news on the domestic front, despite Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa leagues all playing over the weekend.
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There is no news on junior development.
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For this site to be a success, it must be kept up to date. Otherwise, it is a waste of resources.

A Golden Opportunity

East African Cricket On The Rise

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Tanzania's resounding victory in the WCL Africa Div 2 (Associates) championship recently completed in Dar es Salaam means that both of the African representatives to the WCL World Div 3 (Associates) will be Kenya's neighbours. Uganda had already qualified through ICC ranking system when the divisions were first set up. To be played in Los Angeles early next year, the Div 3 tournament gives two teams the opportunity to progress to Division 2, from which the first to fourth teams go through to the 2011 World Cup Qualifier Tournament to be held in 2009.

In LA, Tanzania and Uganda will line up against:

Cayman Islands
Fiji
Hong Kong
Italy
Papua New Guinea
USA

A resurgent USA may feel themselves favourites for the tournament on home soil, but with the right preparation, there is no reason why the two East African teams could not finish first and second.

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This is where Kenya must step in. Aside from regional loyalty, it is in our interests to see our two immediate neighbours get stronger. Already Uganda are able to beat our A team and before long may be giving our national squad good competition as well. If Tanzania continue to improve, which considering most of their team are under 20, should happen, we could get to the stage where Kenya can play competetive matches against both our immediate neighbours. This will not only mean we can all prepare for major tournaments better and cheaper, but it should also mean that interest in the game will pick up locally. There is nothing like a local derby to get people interested in a game.

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Kenya needs to make the most of the opportunity provided by having two improving neighbours. We need to organise further events like the Atul Shah Tournament where our A team plays both Uganda and Tanzania. More importantly, we need to organise to play them at the longer form of the game as well. Regular matches between the three nations played over 4 days will ultimately not only significantly strengthen all the national sides, but should also start to build a strong fan base as the rivalries develop. Both are vital if sides from the region are each going to take the next step up from their respective positions.

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With the rise of Tanzanian and Ugandan cricket, Kenya has a golden opportunity to lead the region forward and strengthen ourselves as a result. This must not be allowed to go to waste. If handled correctly, there is no reason why the East African region cannot by 2009 have all 3 teams vying for a place in the 2011 World Cup. A note of warning however: Uganda and Tanzania have got where they are today by setting up impressive youth systems. If Kenya does not emulate or better these, then we will be looking at being overtaken. We must make the most of this opportunity to help take our neighbours forward, but need to ensure we also strive to improve ourselves to keep ahead of them.

Oshwal Win Junior Tournament

The Crown Berger Obuya junior cricket tournament was held for the first time this weekend at Nairobi Jafferys. I'm not sure how many teams took part, as the first I had heard about it was this report by Oscar Pilipili in the Standard. Judging by the names, it looks as though both girls and boys played in the teams. Nice to see also a good racial mix playing the game, something that can only bode well for the future.

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The article in the Standard goes into more detail of the tournament, but the final was won by Oshwal High who beat Nairobi Gymkhana. Again, I'm not sure of the ages of the players involved, but good to see junior cricket not only being played, but also reported in the press. What would be even better would be to see an official league or leagues set up to nurture the talent that is obviously there and give it the foundation needed to flourish.

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Already there are plenty of private schools who, at least at primary level, play their own leagues and produce players of a high calibre. What Cricket Kenya need to do is approach these schools with the aim of bringing them under one umbrella league that will bring together all junior cricket teams. Without knowing exact numbers, there would probably be enough schools playing in Nairobi alone for at least two if not three divisions, more if teams from further afield are included. With the staff and facilities they have, one would expect the club sides and private schools to dominate, certainly in the first few years. Playing them however would certainly raise the standard of many of the schools who are newer to cricket and it would also give selectors an idea of which players to watch for the future from the whole junior player base.

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September is normally the beginning of the cricket term in the private schools, so it may be too late this year, but there is no reason the groundwork cannot be done now and a couple of tournaments organised where the teams from different backgrounds are introduced to the idea. Kenya has plenty of cricket talent, we just need to find a way to grow it and funnel it through to senior level.