Overseas Players, Amit Bhudia and the IC Cup/Shield.

So this news isnt exactly the freshest, but a few overseas players, Seren Waters, Ragheb Aga and Abeed Janmohamed have put in some promising performances for their respective clubs in the past month.

Waters, turning out for the Weybridge Cricket Club (captained by former Kenya International, Abeed Janmohamed) in The Surrey Championship top scored with 91 in his teams narrow round 2 victory over the Spencer Cricket Club. Waters has also been playing for the Surrey 2nd XI and also their Academy. He has made a few promising starts for both the 2nd XI and the Academy, including a 77 not out for the Academy in their 10 wicket win over Normandy CC.

Janmohamed himself contributed 47 in Weybridge's round 1 loss to Sutton Cricket Club

Meanwhile, Ragheb Aga turning out for the Eastbourne Cricket Club when not on County Duties for Sussex, bowled a devastating spell in his sides 10 wicket win over Haywards Heath. Aga got 3 of the first 4 wickets to fall in the innings, before returning to clean up the Haywards Heath tail to finish with the excellent figures of 7/28 off 12.4 overs. Hopefully with more performances like this, Ragheb will make his way back into Sussex's first XI.

James Clegg, (Im not entirely sure if Clegg still desires to play for Kenya) started of his season for Fairburn Cricket with a cracking century, making 107 in his teams win over Darton Cricket Club. The Darton side featured England Womans player, Sarah Taylor.

It appears Amit Bhudia has overcome a shoulder injury. Turning out for Mombasa Sports Club against touring English Outfit Lisvane Cricket Club. Bhudia made 104 in his teams total of 258/8 off 35 overs, his innings included a massive 9 sixes. Mombasa went onto win the match which according to all reports, was played in very good spirit.

The Intercontinental Cup is set to resume soon with 11 teams now paticipating in two seperate divisions 'The ICC Intercontinental Cup' and 'The ICC Intercontinental Shield'. Kenya will be competeing in the ICC Intercontinental Cup Division which also features Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Afghanistan, Canada and a representative side from Zimbabwe. One team it doesnt feature, is last years runners up, Namibia who have been relegated due to their recent performance at the World Cup Qualifiers. As a result of this, Namibia will be featuring in the Shield competiton alongside Bermuda, UAE and Uganda. One feels this is a poor decision by the ICC to demote a team that were runners up in a 4 day tournament because of their performance in a 50 over tournament. To rub salt into the wound, the USA have been included in the World Twenty20 Qualifiers to take place in the United Arab Emirates in October ahead of Namibia. This event will also feature the top 6 associates/affiliates Ireland, Canada, Netherlands, Kenya, Scotland, Afghanistan and host nation UAE.

The Intercontinental Cup and Shield competitions will feature prizemoney for the first time. The winners of the Cup division to receive US$100,000 and the runners up US$40,000. In the Shield division division the winners will take home US$25,000 and the runners up US$10,000. An outright win in either division will be worth US$3,000.

Finally, thank you to Nick for inviting me to contribute to his blog. Hopefully my first attempt wasnt too shabby.