A Foregone Conclusion?

Today's Nation has an article entitled 'Team For Canada To Be Decided On Friday' in which it lists several players it considers automatic picks to be selected for the Canada tour. The article, written by Chris Tsuma says:

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"Barring injuries, loss of form or gross misconduct, vice captain Thomas Odoyo's name should be the first on the selectors list after the captain's.
The same goes for first change bowler Peter Ongondo, wicketkeeper and opening batsman Maurice Ouma, Tony Suji whose batting came alive with a maiden first class century in Namibia last year, Tanmey Mishra and Brijal Patel as well as Malhar Patel and all rounder Rajesh Bhudhia."

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I'm afraid that I have to take issue with some of the above, but first the ones I agree with: Odoyo, Ongondo and Mishra have all played well enough this year to warrant a place. Brijal Patel is a bit more iffy, but held the A team together with his batting in the Atul Shah tournament, then came good with a century in the practice match. That should be enough to get him a place.

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Malhar Patel and Rajesh Bhudhia, I think have work to do to convince the selectors. Patel showed signs of potential in Denmark, but still needs improvement before he steps up to full internationals. Bhudhia will develop into a useful bowler for Kenya, and may well do enough to earn a place in the side. Neither however should be called automatic picks. There are several others in the squad who will by vying for their spots, and they need to prove to the selectors they are worthy.

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Tony Suji I feel also has a lot of work to do to prove to selectors he is up to the challenge. He may indeed, as Tsuma points out, have scored a century against Namibia last year, but his figures in ODIs and the Intercontinental Cup this year are as follows: Vs. Zimbabwe: 25, 35, 6, 2 (avg 17). Vs. Bangladesh: (at 3)33, 11 (at 7) 33, (avg: 26). Vs. The Netherlands: 11. Average so far this year: 19.5 - not one would suggest figures that promt automatic selection as a batsman. I singled out the 33 off 22 he made batting at 7, as I feel this is a role he could still play for Kenya. He can bowl fairly tidily, and is a useful run-getter lower down the order. Again though, not an automatic selection and there are plenty of other players vying for the all-rounder spot.

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Maurice Ouma is an even more unlikely pick to make the team at all, let alone as an automatic choice. His figures so far: Vs. Zimbabwe: 3,4,12,1 (avg 5). Vs. Bangladesh: 2, 16 (avg 9) Vs The Netherlands: 10. average so far this year: 5.5. Enough said.

Kenya do however need a wicket keeper, and unless the Kennedy Obuya issue is settled, this really leaves the choice betweem Ouma and Timothy Muange. The latter has shown some potential with the A team so far, and would certainly be my choice above Ouma on form this year.

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Interestingly, the Nation also mentions Collins Obuya and Jimmy Kamande as being possible batting options. Surprising? Not really considering both scored centuries in the practise match, and have both played passibly with the bat this year in internationals, especially Obuya. Both players provide a spin option, and depending on the conditions in Canada, this may give them the edge over some of the other batting all rounders.

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My automatic picks would be:

Tikolo, Modi, Odoyo, Ongondo, Mishra, possibly B.Patel, C. Obuya.

All the rest I feel need to fight it out for the remaining 7 places.