Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Journalists gear up for Sunday's Media Challenge

Story Courtesy Dun Okinyo

Speaking after the pooling of the teams where both the men and women national team sides players were also informed of the media houses they will play for in the inaugural event, national team captain Maurice Ouma who will lead the Star team said the event promises to be entertaining and at the same time promised to lead his side to victory.

“I expect it to be an entertaining event if the enthusiasm we have seen in the teams is anything to go by. Teams have shown a lot o desire to play the game and we and so what is remaining is for them to turn up make it a success,” Ouma said.
However no team will have the services of former national team captain Steve Tikolo and vice captain Thomas Odoyo who are out of the country at the moment. The two are in Zimbabwe for a professional stint.

Pool A has Star, KBC Idhaa, People and Citizen while Pool B has East FM, KTN, KBC Channel One and K24. Pool C will have Nation, Jambo Radio and Standard.

Ouma will be joined by Africa record holder Sarah Bhakita in the Star team. Bhakita hit unbeaten 186 runs in Kenya thrashing of Rwanda last year in Nairobi.
National team vice Captain Jimmy Kamande and Pearlyne Omamo will lead Citizen TV’s quest for the title while Nation will boost of former Warwickshire star Collins Obuya and Marie Aimee.

Aimee an opening batsman and wicket keeper is just from leading Kenya to a third spot in the just concluded Africa Women Youth Championships in Tanzania while Obuya is from a one month High Performance Camp in South Africa.

“The grouping looks fine and I looking forward for the day so that we can see what the journalists have to offer,” Obuya said

In South Africa, Obuya alongside Rakep Patel, Alex Obanda and Ouma were taken through intensive batting coaching ahead of the 2011 World Cup in Asia.
East FM who are poised to give the other teams a run for their money will be joined by upcoming star Dominic Wesonga and Maureen Mutunga. KTN and Standard newspaper will boost of the services of Obanda, Margaret Banja, David Obuya and Emily Ruto respectively. Ruto is the captain of the national ladies team.

KBC two teams will have the services of Nehemiah Odhiambo, Belinda Maska, Alfred Luseno and Mercyline Odhiambo to bank on in the 11 team’s show that starts at 8am. Jambo FM will have national team opening bowler Peter Ongondo and Ruth Mwihaki while People Daily will have Patel and Mary Belle.
Sylvia Wairimu and Elijah Otieno will be expected to lead K24 with their bowling strengths.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

NPCA Bags and Balers Semi Final Results

NPCA - BAGS AND BALERS LTD 40 OVERS KNOCK-OUT TOURNAMENT

GROUP A - SEMI-FINALS

29th.Nov

2009

TEAM

TEAM

VENUE

RESULTS

Swamibapa 'A'

Kanbis 'B'

Ngara

Swamibapa 'A' won by

70 / 6 Wkts

69 All Out

4 Wkts

Stray Lions 'A'

Kanbis 'A'

Premier

Kanbis 'A' won by 65 Runs

112 All Out

177 All Out

Peter Kituku - 41

Ramesh Mepani - 36

David Obuya - 28

Rakep Patel - 27

Rohit Vekaria - 4/15

Josphat Ababu - 4/27

Rajesh Bhudia - 2/20

Jimmy Kamande - 2/31

GROUP A - PLATE SEMI-FINALS

Nairobi Gymkhana

Premier

Simba Union

Nairobi Gymkhana won

195 All Out

92 All Out

by 103 Runs

Vikram Thampy - 73

Jigar Patel - 16

Karan Kaul - 29

Vijay Patel - 10

Brijan Patel - 4/31

Lucas Olouch - 6/17

Shaishav Patel - 2/29

Mahendra Asani - 3/19

GROUP B - QUARTER FINALS

29th.Nov

Aga Khan

Qutbis

Parklands

Aga Khan won

2009

GROUP B - SEMI-FINALS

Goan Institute 'A'

Simba Union

Ruaraka

Goan Institute 'A' won by

198 / 9 Wkts

166 All Out

32 Runs

GROUP B - PLATE SEMI - FINALS

Goan Institute 'B'

Oshwal

Pindolia

Goan Institute 'B' won by

145 / 7 Wkts

144 All Out

3 Wkts

Golden XI

Parklands

Ngara

Parklands won


The teams that has qualified for the finals are as follows:

GROUP A MAIN Swamibapa ‘A’ vs Kanbis ‘A’

GROUP A PLATE Nairobi Nookers vs Nairobi Gymkhana

GROUP B MAIN Goan Institute ‘A’ vs Winners of Stray Lions ‘B’ and Aga Khan(this game to be played on 6th.Dec)

GROUP B PLATE Goan Institute ‘B’ vs Parklands.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Stray Lions to disband?

I hope that this is just a rumour and not reality.

Stray Lions' boss is reported to have disbanded the club after the A side's loss to Kanbis in the 40-over semis.

If it is true, it will be a huge blow to Kenyan cricket as this is a side that have built themselves up from nowhere to become a real force in the domestic game. The a side finished 3rd in the League and are on course to challenge for the title over the next couple of years. the B side continue to climb the leagues and provide depth to the squad.

'A team' captain Jimmy Kamande expressed the following sentiments regarding the news

"Thanks to you boss for giving us an opportunity to play this lovely game. I really feel honoured to have lead this team, for my former team mates, I can't do much but thank you for the support in each and every way. Good luck to us all in our cricket."

Fingers crossed this is just a rumour or knee jerk reaction to a bad day at the office and we will see this side continue to go from strength to strength in the future. The fate of much more than just a handful of players depend on it.