Kenya's Squad to the Africa Zone U19 world cup qualifiers has been named with an interesting mix of players, though only one, Taaha Sulemanjee, come from outside of Nairobi.
Karan Kaul leads the side and will be a key player with both bat and ball, though it is the latter that is his stronger suit. Interestingly, it is 15 year old Kennedy Owino who will deputise, though this may not be all that surprising considering that he has captained at U15 level and is widely regarded as a future leader at this level as well. He is a very talented batsman and one that should relish the challenge of stepping up to the older age group.
Likewise Emmanuel "Fundi" Bundi, who purely on talent looks to be one of the brightest prospects on the horizon. Capable of scoring quickly, this is sometimes his downfall as, a bit like Alex Obanda, he can have a tendency to try and hit everything to the boundary. Hopefully with age, this will be tempered and he still has plenty of time. this could be a very valuable learning experience for him.
Harrison Ambani and Paul Anjere are two players that I saw last year in the nets during training and are players I feel will one day go on to great things. Ambani in particular has a fantastic action and if he grows (he was very slight in build), will develop into a very useful quick bowler. Good to see these two selected - I hope they get a chance and confirm my expectations.
I know little about the rest of the players, so any light anyone can shed will be appreciated. All the best to the team, hopefully with the pressure of qualifying not there (we qualify automatically as hosts), they will be able to both put on a top display and gain valuable experience. With Angara and Suji to oversee things, they at least have two of the best coaches in the country to look after them. Best wishes.
Full squad:
Joseph Angara Team Coach Swamibapa Club
Martin Suji Team Manager Kanbis Club
Karan Kaul (Captain) Bowler All rounder Simba Union
Kennedy Owino Ochieng (Vice Captain) Batsman Telca Cricket Club
Keval Anilkumar Patel Off Spinner Aga Khan Sports Club
Mahendra Mansukh Ashani Opening Bowler Telca Cricket Club
Vikram Saleel Thampy Opening Batsman Aga Khan Sports Club
Emmanuel Bundi Ringera Batsman All Rounder Telca Cricket Club
Harrison Ambani Angila Medium Pace Bowler Ngara Sports Club
Abdulqair Murtaza Tayabali Najmi Opening Batsman Qutbi Sports Club
Rahul Harish Vishram Wicket Keeper Batsman Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Cricket Club
Taaha Abizar Fakhruddin Sulemanjee Off Spinner Mombasa Sports Club
Raj Hemchand Savala Left Arm Spinner Oshwal Cricket Club
Paul Anjere Angila Batsman All rounder Telca Cricket Club
Lucas Oluoch Ndandason Opening Bowler Simba Union
Joseph Onyango Ochieng Medium Pace Bowler Ngara Sports Club
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Who will be the next Captain?
With news coming out on Kenya's return home that though Steve Tikolo will continue to play for Kenya in the lead up to the World Cup (but not in it), the 3rd/4th place play off loss to The Netherlands was his last match as captain of the side. A shame it was lost, but not everything can have a happy ending. This means that there will be a vacancy at the top and deputy positions as the responsibility shifts onto new shoulders. So a look at the potential options for the new skipper:
1. Thomas Odoyo. As both the longest continuing servant of Kenyan cricket after Tikolo and the team's current Vice Captain, Odoyo has to be the favourite to take over the mantle. In his favour are his experience, his ability to lead from the front with both bat and ball and his natural leadership ability. There has been a recent problem with injuries however and the load of captaincy on top of his other duties may be considered too great - there are not many genuine all rounders who have also made great captains. Despite this and the recent slump in form, he is still the most likely to succeed Tikolo. At 30 probably still has about 4 years of service left.
2. Jimmy Kamande. Also an all rounder, Kamande is less of a key player than Odoyo, so the strain would be less. He has experience of captaincy at both club and Elite League and has a tendency to show a more attacking streak that Tikolo does. Also 30, he has probably about the same time left as Odoyo, but is less beset by injuries and has really grown as a player in the last 12 months. If not selected as Captain, would probably make a very good understudy and will probably be needed as such if Odoyo is made captain and misses games due to injury.
3. Peter Ongondo. At 32 one of the older statesmen of the side and will probably be one of a crop of players to move on after the World Cup. Certainly has the experience and has proved himself as a mentor for the younger players as well. Would provide a level head at the top and will need to lead from the front in the bowling department whether appointed or not.
4. Collins Obuya. After Tikolo, perhaps the most sensible of Kenya's batsmen in recent times and at 27 looks to have more time left in the game than the other possibles. Like Kamande a great fielder and will set a good example in both innings. One of the other players who is really showing consistent signs of improvement at the moment. His biggest asset though would probably be his age.
The above 4 are the most likely candidates with no one else really offering the package required:
Kennedy Obuya would be a good leader, but is the same vintage as Tikolo.
Onyango, though in the form of his life must also be nearing the end of his career.
Obanda, Waters, Bhudia & Otieno are too young and are yet to fully cement their positions anyhow.
Odhiambo & Varaiya are possible dark horses as both will almost certainly remain Key players for Kenya over the next decade. One of these could well sneak in as the next Vice Captain should one of the older players be chosen as Skipper.
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On a different note, the Africa zone qualifiers for the U19 World Cup are due to get under way soon. No news yet on the Kenya squad, though several of our umpires have jetted out to officiate. Kenya are due to host this event in 2010 and it is vitally important that the team manage what others have not for a very long time - qualification for the U19 World Cup. Will keep updated with news as I get it...
1. Thomas Odoyo. As both the longest continuing servant of Kenyan cricket after Tikolo and the team's current Vice Captain, Odoyo has to be the favourite to take over the mantle. In his favour are his experience, his ability to lead from the front with both bat and ball and his natural leadership ability. There has been a recent problem with injuries however and the load of captaincy on top of his other duties may be considered too great - there are not many genuine all rounders who have also made great captains. Despite this and the recent slump in form, he is still the most likely to succeed Tikolo. At 30 probably still has about 4 years of service left.
2. Jimmy Kamande. Also an all rounder, Kamande is less of a key player than Odoyo, so the strain would be less. He has experience of captaincy at both club and Elite League and has a tendency to show a more attacking streak that Tikolo does. Also 30, he has probably about the same time left as Odoyo, but is less beset by injuries and has really grown as a player in the last 12 months. If not selected as Captain, would probably make a very good understudy and will probably be needed as such if Odoyo is made captain and misses games due to injury.
3. Peter Ongondo. At 32 one of the older statesmen of the side and will probably be one of a crop of players to move on after the World Cup. Certainly has the experience and has proved himself as a mentor for the younger players as well. Would provide a level head at the top and will need to lead from the front in the bowling department whether appointed or not.
4. Collins Obuya. After Tikolo, perhaps the most sensible of Kenya's batsmen in recent times and at 27 looks to have more time left in the game than the other possibles. Like Kamande a great fielder and will set a good example in both innings. One of the other players who is really showing consistent signs of improvement at the moment. His biggest asset though would probably be his age.
The above 4 are the most likely candidates with no one else really offering the package required:
Kennedy Obuya would be a good leader, but is the same vintage as Tikolo.
Onyango, though in the form of his life must also be nearing the end of his career.
Obanda, Waters, Bhudia & Otieno are too young and are yet to fully cement their positions anyhow.
Odhiambo & Varaiya are possible dark horses as both will almost certainly remain Key players for Kenya over the next decade. One of these could well sneak in as the next Vice Captain should one of the older players be chosen as Skipper.
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On a different note, the Africa zone qualifiers for the U19 World Cup are due to get under way soon. No news yet on the Kenya squad, though several of our umpires have jetted out to officiate. Kenya are due to host this event in 2010 and it is vitally important that the team manage what others have not for a very long time - qualification for the U19 World Cup. Will keep updated with news as I get it...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Steve Tikolo calls time on his international career.
We knew it had to happen at some stage soon, but that does not lessen the blow. As of next season, Kenya will be without the services of star player, captain and talisman, Steve Tikolo.
To my mind by far he is the best player never to have been given the opportunity to play a Test match and better than many that have.
He will be missed both with bat and ball and I fear it will be a long time before we produce another of his calibre.
As well as a top player, he is a top bloke and I think that is reflected in the timing and the manner of his announcement. No big fanfare, just contentment in a job done to give the next generation a chance to play in a World Cup and a quiet acknowledgement that it is time to move on. As with so many of his innings for his country, a touch of true class.
While he may be retiring from international cricket as a player I think this is by far the last season we will see from him in relation to Kenyan cricket. He has a huge passion for development of the game and his influence has had a fantastic affect on so many of the players that have come through under his stewardship. The contract of Andrew Kirsten expires at the end of this tournament and perhaps now is the right time for Kenya to look for homegrown talent to coach their team. I can think of no one better both in terms of leadership, experience and vision for the game.
On the latter quality, he has spoken about the need to spread the game further in the country and has some very good ideas on how that can be done. Like his brother Tom, he would prove an able administrator and would certainly be one that would draw the support of the players, who can perhaps feel they could have been looked after better by both past and present regimes.
While the pads and bat will be put away, at least at international level at the end of this season, there should still be time to see the great man in action a few more times. Having qualified for the World Cup and retained ODI status, Kenya should have fixtures aplenty in the upcoming year. For those who have not experienced the joy of watching Steve Tikolo bat, use these opportunities to get to a game and savour a true talent. It may be a while before Kenya sees his like again.
To my mind by far he is the best player never to have been given the opportunity to play a Test match and better than many that have.
He will be missed both with bat and ball and I fear it will be a long time before we produce another of his calibre.
As well as a top player, he is a top bloke and I think that is reflected in the timing and the manner of his announcement. No big fanfare, just contentment in a job done to give the next generation a chance to play in a World Cup and a quiet acknowledgement that it is time to move on. As with so many of his innings for his country, a touch of true class.
While he may be retiring from international cricket as a player I think this is by far the last season we will see from him in relation to Kenyan cricket. He has a huge passion for development of the game and his influence has had a fantastic affect on so many of the players that have come through under his stewardship. The contract of Andrew Kirsten expires at the end of this tournament and perhaps now is the right time for Kenya to look for homegrown talent to coach their team. I can think of no one better both in terms of leadership, experience and vision for the game.
On the latter quality, he has spoken about the need to spread the game further in the country and has some very good ideas on how that can be done. Like his brother Tom, he would prove an able administrator and would certainly be one that would draw the support of the players, who can perhaps feel they could have been looked after better by both past and present regimes.
While the pads and bat will be put away, at least at international level at the end of this season, there should still be time to see the great man in action a few more times. Having qualified for the World Cup and retained ODI status, Kenya should have fixtures aplenty in the upcoming year. For those who have not experienced the joy of watching Steve Tikolo bat, use these opportunities to get to a game and savour a true talent. It may be a while before Kenya sees his like again.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Last Roll of the Dice
Tomorrow Kenya take on Ireland in what is a huge match for cricket in the country. With the Super 8 campaign stuttering at best and catastrophic at worst, we now need a win against the best team in the competition to ensure qualification for the World Cup.
So far in the super 8s, Kenya has lost heavily to Canada, scraped past a poor Scotland (who are themselves in danger of not only missing out on the WC, but also of losing ODI status)and then been utterly thrashed by Namibia - a team the other contenders for WC spots have had little difficulty with.
The final fixtures are such that Kenya could still qualify even if we lose, but it would take other results to go our way - not a route any Kenyan fan wants to go down.
Sitting on 6 points, Kenya are still just 3rd on Net Run Rate ahead of Netherlands and the UAE. What is a concern is that if both of these teams win their final games and Kenya lose, we will miss out on the World Cup. If all 3 teams lose, then NRR could not only determine the WC spots, but ODI status as well.
For Kenya, there could still be a happy ending. A win, however unlikely given yesterday's capitulation, could still potentially place us second and facing Ireland in the final. It would need The result of the Canada-Netherlands game to be a tight win to the Netherlands and our own win to be big, but it is possible. Worst case scenario if we lose is to miss out on the World Cup and possibly even finish outside the top 6 on NRR, though this would need an unlikely combination of results. Should the latter eventuate, we may as well bid adieu to the game in Kenya. It is that serious a predicament.
In short, very much all to play for and Kenya's top order who have so far failed to impress at this stage of the tournament will need to really step up to prove they deserve their places. After tomorrow, there will be no more chances. No more opportunities at redemption.
So far in the super 8s, Kenya has lost heavily to Canada, scraped past a poor Scotland (who are themselves in danger of not only missing out on the WC, but also of losing ODI status)and then been utterly thrashed by Namibia - a team the other contenders for WC spots have had little difficulty with.
The final fixtures are such that Kenya could still qualify even if we lose, but it would take other results to go our way - not a route any Kenyan fan wants to go down.
Sitting on 6 points, Kenya are still just 3rd on Net Run Rate ahead of Netherlands and the UAE. What is a concern is that if both of these teams win their final games and Kenya lose, we will miss out on the World Cup. If all 3 teams lose, then NRR could not only determine the WC spots, but ODI status as well.
For Kenya, there could still be a happy ending. A win, however unlikely given yesterday's capitulation, could still potentially place us second and facing Ireland in the final. It would need The result of the Canada-Netherlands game to be a tight win to the Netherlands and our own win to be big, but it is possible. Worst case scenario if we lose is to miss out on the World Cup and possibly even finish outside the top 6 on NRR, though this would need an unlikely combination of results. Should the latter eventuate, we may as well bid adieu to the game in Kenya. It is that serious a predicament.
In short, very much all to play for and Kenya's top order who have so far failed to impress at this stage of the tournament will need to really step up to prove they deserve their places. After tomorrow, there will be no more chances. No more opportunities at redemption.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
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.
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.
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