Super 8s here we come

Since the last time of writing, the Kenyan team has really turned things around to look like qualifying top of the group. 3 fine wins, admittedly against weaker opposition than The Netherlands and the teams they will need to beat from Group A in order to qualify for the World Cup.

First up was a 9 wicket demolition of the UAE who had no answer to the Kenyan bowling, especially Lameck Onyango who returned career best figures of 6-14 (incidentally also the best figures to date in the tournament). Limping to 79 all out, the Emirates never looked like threatening the Kenyans who knocked over the runs in a mere 12.2 overs with the only casualty being Maurice Ouma (50 off 38), who did superbly for his fifty, but who should also be disappointed in not seeing the job through. He is Kenya's second highest run scorer so far, but the tendency of getting starts and not converting has to concern the coach.

Then Kenya took on the hitherto undefeated Afghanistan and again were comfortable in victory, this time by 107 runs built on a superb unbeaten century from Kennedy Otieno and a fine run-a-ball 60 from Alex Obanda. Defending 282, Thomas Odoyo lead a team effort from Kenya's bowlers taking 3/29. While Afghanistan never threatened, Kenya could perhaps have won easier had they gone for the jugular rather than opt to rotate the bowling, though with the big games to come, the latter option was certainly the correct decision to allow players to find their form.

Finally, Kenya chased a very respectable 260 to beat Bermuda by what was in the end a very comfortable 7 wickets. What was a very real concern in this was the rotation of the bowlers and the reluctance of the captain to give more overs to the more inexperienced, but extremely economical Elijah Otieno. There is little doubt that he will develop into a key bowler for Kenya and should have been given a better chance than just the 5 overs he bowled. His figures of 1/13 by far the most economic of any of the Kenyan bowlers. Ouma and Otieno set the platform well for Kenya, both making half centuries and Alex Obanda briefly set the game alight with his cameo of 15, though he may have been better advised to settle in and consolidate time at the crease rather than opting for the all out attack mode.

Having disappointed with the ball and his bowling rotations, Tikolo was back to his majestic best with the bat seeing Kenya home with a fine 60* well supported by Collins Obuya who only failed to be the 4th Kenyan in the match to make a half century because Kenya overhauled the target too quickly.

All in all, these have been dominant displays, but it should be noted that all of Ireland, Canada and Scotland who await in the super 8s will offer much tougher resistance. Only 4 of the teams will go through to the World Cup, so someone is going to miss out. Kenya have one more Group match to maintain momentum - against bottom placed Denmark before phase 2 begins.

Falling at the first hurdle

In my post yesterday I stressed the importance of Kenya winning their opening match of the World Cup Qualifiers against The Netherlands. Some lacklustre batting and poor fielding from Kenya and the brilliance of Ryan ten Doeschate meant that it was not to be and that the pressure is now well and truly on the team to bounce back.

Yesterday's match was always expected to be the toughest of the group games for Kenya, but with today's opponents, the UAE upsetting Bermuda and Afghanistan also impressing to dispose of the Danes, this group is very much open and any more slip ups will be catastrophic.

Full reports of yesterday's match can be found on the usual websites, so I will stick to a few things I noticed. One of these was that there has been an obvious drop in the standard of fielding since the departure of Roger Harper as coach. Too often pressure was released on the Dutch due to simple fielding errors that allowed dot balls to become singles or singles to become twos.

From a batting perspective, there is not the application of the batsmen once in to go on to bigger scores. Thank heavens for Jimmy Kamande fine half century and Nehemiah Odhiambo who's lusty hitting allowed Kenya to set what could have been a defendable total. All other batsmen started, then got out and at this level, this will be punished.

With the ball, it was a case of strange decisions and one too many overs for both Onyango and Odhiambo who had bowled well up until then. The extra 2 overs they bowled instead of bringing Varaiya on earlier meant that ten Doeschate and Zuiderant were more settled by the time the spinner came on and though he troubled both batsmen early, he also came in for some stick as they were already set. I was also unhapy with the reintroduction of the change bowlers later in the match when the spinners should have been given a better run.

In the end, the way the Dutch batted, it may not have effected the outcome, but it is amazing what a bit of pressure can do. There is not much time to turn things around before facing the Emirates, but hopefully Kenya will put on a better performance and bounce back. If not, the consequences for Kenyan Cricket look dire indeed.

The most important day this year

April Fool's day? well for some, perhaps. No - today sees the start of the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa and in both groups the top 2 seeds meet each other in the first matches. Cricket Europe are providing great live coverage and previews, so I will concentrate on the Kenyan perspective.

While the title of this article may sound dramatic, in terms of cricket it is very much accurate. Should Kenya beat The Netherlands today, they will have made a huge step towards the Super 8 stage and as both teams should go through, the winner will carry over the points earned from this match, something that could be vital in terms of securing that final 4 position and hence a place in the 2011 World Cup. Failure today certainly does not mean the end of the road for either side, but it will dampen morale and make the rest of the job that much harder.

Both sides come into the game on highs after winning their last two warm up games, the most recent against other sides competing in this tournament, and both sides have spent plenty of time in South Africa to acclimatise. Kenya have 2 injury worries with Kennedy Obuya nursing a thumb injury picked up in the win over Scotland, while Alex Obanda has a back injury, so has missed the warm up games, but is expected to be fit to play.

If Obuya cannot pass a late fitness test, the opening pair will almost certainly be Maurice Ouma and Seren Waters. Should he be fit, then either of those players will probably drop down the order. Obanda should bat 3 and Tikolo (who will also bowl his off spin)will be at 4. Thomas Odoyo has been patchy with the bat, but will probably retain 6th spot after whichever of Ouma and Waters has to make way for Obuya. Odoyo will also be Kenya's key player with the ball. Having been used sparingly in the warm up games, he will be expected to step up and bowl a full 10 overs for this game.
7 & 8 will be filled by Collins Obuya and Jimmy Kamande, the latter who will also bowl his off spin for a few overs at least.

Of the bowlers, only Peter Ongondo (who will open the bowling with Odoyo) and Hiren Varaiya (the left arm spinner who has been the form bowler during the warm ups)are the only 2 certain to start. Nehemiah Odhiambo may have done enough with the bat in the last game to earn him a place, but it is hard to see him chosen ahead of his brother Lameck Onyango or youngster Elijah Otieno in terms of bowling which is what should count if only 3 seamers are chosen.

In the warm up games, Kenya have gone in with 4 seamers, but with the Waters/Obuya/Ouma dilemma - all have scored runs and can potentially win matches, it may be the selectors opt for 3 seamers and 3 spinners to do the bowling. If Obuya's thumb rules him out, then expect both Onyango and Odhiambo to play. If not, Onyango will probably be picked as the most dangerous bowler of the 3 possible.

There is no doubt that with talent like Ryan ten Doeschate and Alex Kervezee, the Netherlands are a very able team and Kenya will have their best possible side on the park. Hopefully we will play to potential and be strong enough to open the tournament with a win. GO KENYA!