After starting the year off in the worst possible way with the outright loss to Scotland in the Intercontinental Cup, Kenya have bounced back in the best possible way with a convincing 4-0 win in the 20-20 tri-series with Scotland and Uganda. Given that as little as two months ago, victory in any 20-20 game looked remote indeed as Kenya hosted and lost to Uganda 3-0, the emphatic nature of the series win has got to have boosted confidence ahead of this week’s World Cup Qualifiers in the UAE.
In Kenya’s first match, Maurice Ouma won the toss and elected to field. Uganda started belligerently scoring 30 off the first 10 overs before Nehemiah Odhiambo struck and from then on, Kenya looked in control of the match. Wickets fell at regular intervals with four of the Kenyan bowlers each picking up a brace as Uganda set a target of 123/9 off their overs. Though Nehemiah Odhiambo, newly promoted to opening the bowling in the absence of Odoyo and Ongondo took the book-end wickets, it was the spin department, especially Hiren Varaiya (4-1-9-2) who really impressed.
Kenya’s run chase was lead by a new opening pair of Steve Tikolo and David Obuya and it was an experiment that proved a resounding success every time. The pair put on 66 for the first wicket (Obuya for 24), and Tikolo went on to set a new Personal Best as he marched to 63 off just 44 deliveries to bring Kenya within touching distance of victory. Maurice Ouma (2*) and Alex Obanda (31*), himself hitting a PB of his own did the rest and the 3-0 series loss in December was part way towards being avenged.
Kenya’s second match should have seen stiffer competition in the form of Scotland, but the visitors were clearly unable to reproduce their form from the Intercontinental Cup as Kenya first restricted them to 109/9 – again with the spinners doing the damage: Shem Obado impressing in his first International graded match with figures of 4-0-10-2 while jimmy Kamande picked up 3/28.
Again Tikolo (46 off 28) and David Obuya (60 off 48) opened and again, it proved to be a masterstroke from Eldine Baptise as the pair raced Kenya to a 10 wicket win inside 13 overs. If you include Obado’s figures on debut, it was Personal Bests for four of Kenya’s players.
Kenya’s third match saw them bat first for the first and only time in the tournament and with Tikolo rested, Obanda moved up the order to join David Obuya (18) as opener. It proved to be a position he enjoyed as he made a new Personal Best of 43 off 24 to set up the rest of the line up for a big total. Maurice Ouma (39) and Collins Obuya (79* off 45) duly added their names to the list of Personal record breakers as Kenya went on to set a daunting 186 – easily the biggest total of the tournament.
Credit to Uganda who stuck to their guns in the run chase and for a while looked as though they might cause an unlikely upset. Another Kenyan debutante for the series, Nelson Odhiambo proved the difference in the bowling however as he ripped through the middle of the Ugandan innings to take 4/25 including the wicket of the dangerous looking Roger Mukasa (66). Tony suji chipped in with 2/25 and Jimmy Kamande executed two brilliant run outs to ensure Kenya finished victors by 14 runs.
Kenya’s second match against Scotland was very similar in result to their first, but it was yet another personal best and astonishing bowling performance from Nehemiah Odhiambo who took 5/25 as Kenya bowled out their visitors for 123. It is only the second time a player has taken 5 wickets in a full 20-20 international and a huge achievement for the player on whose shoulders the main bowling responsibility for Kenya now rests. Nelson Odhiambo also picked up 2 wickets while suicidal run outs accounted for the rest.
Again it was the Tikolo-Obuya show in reply and the two raced neck-a-neck to their 50s. Obuya (65* off 47) won that race by just one ball, but then continued to set yet another Personal Best at this level while Tikolo’s 56* off 42 was also a new personal record as again Kenya ran out winners by 10 wickets, this time with five and a half overs to spare. Note that the matches vs. Uganda were graded Twenty20 by the ICC whereas the matches vs. Scotland were graded T20Is.
All in all, the series was a great achievement for Kenya in the warm ups to the WC Qualifiers, but it is that fact that should remain as a stark reminder that the real work is yet to be done. Kenya play Scotland again today in a final warm up in Abu Dhabi, and on this form, should win again, but it will all count for naught if they do not get through to the final two in the qualifying tournament. If the players can continue to produce Personal Bests at this rate though, that should be a distinct possibility.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Cricket Kenya CEO position advertisment
CRICKET KENYA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Cricket Kenya (CK) seeks to appoint on a fixed term basis, an experienced, dynamic and energetic individual as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead and manage its activities up to and beyond the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The successful candidate will report to the CK Board and will implement and spearhead the overall vision and strategic direction of CK’s cricket and commercial operations. The position carries an attractive salary package with benefits commensurate with experience.
The CEO will be a non-executive member of the Board and will, on a day to day basis, be responsible to, and work closely with, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Hon Treasurer of the CK Board (“the office bearers”).
The CEO would be responsible for delivering in the following key duties:
- Overall responsibility for the day to day administration and financial activities of CK in conjunction with the office bearers and other members of staff
- Effective corporate governance and compliance with statutory requirements
- Strategic Planning, managing, implementation and regular overviews of business planning and long term strategies
- Development planning and youth and women’s programmes
- Financial performance, management and accountability including preparation of Annual Reports, Budgets and Funding Reports.
- Administration and arrangements of CK AGM, Board and Council Meetings.
- Responsibility for developing CK’s organisation, overseeing performance and conduct of all CK staff and regular preparation of all staff appraisals.
- Overseeing all marketing, fund-raising, communication and promotional activities and identifying sponsorship and other funding activities.
- Management of assets and facilities, activities and events
- National Team affairs
- Management of relations with the International Cricket Council (ICC), African Cricket Association (ACA) and other related sporting bodies
- Industrial relations, taxation and employee affairs
- Promotion of CK’s profile with ICC, sponsors, media and all key stakeholders
The CEO should have the following skills and competencies:
- Sound knowledge of information and computer technology
- Tertiary qualification, preferably degree level or equivalent.
- Minimum of 5 years in a senior Management level position preferably with financial and commercial experience
- Be an analytical and creative manager with strong leadership skills who works well under pressure
- Experience in sport, particularly cricket administration, would be advantageous
- Excellent business acumen, interpersonal and project management skills
Applications should include a covering letter and a detailed resume together with the names and contact details of three referees. The covering letter should address how your experience and skills meet the main duties above. Applications should also provide an indication of when the applicant would be available to commence but this would not preclude anyone with the right credentials from being considered. Further details may be requested by CK at a later date. Applications, by email only, should be received by close of business on Friday 19th February 2010 to:
Samir Inamdar Barbara Kokonya
Chairman Administration Manager
Cricket
inamdar@africaonline.co.ke barbara.kokonya@cricketkenya.co.ke
PLEASE NOTE: Only short listed candidates will be contacted and if you have not been contacted by Friday 26th February, please be advised that your application was not successful.
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