Well, it is less than 2 hours to the start of play in Toronto if my understanding of the datelines is correct, and the Kenyan team will be psyching themselves up for what is a must-win match if we are to keep alive any hopes of progressing to the Intercontinental Cup final. Having given away 6 first innings points to the Dutch in our first game, we must now win the remaining two if we want to compete in succesive finals. Canada, playing their first game of the tournament, will no doubt feel that with home advantage they can put a dent in our hopes. Going on past performance, relative strength on paper and the levels of professionalism shown in preparation however, this match should end in victory for Kenya.
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Six of the Kenyan batsmen have scored a total of eleven 50s and six centuries between them in previous Intercontinental Cup matches. Steve Tikolo has twice scored double centuries. Compare this to the Canadians who only have one centurion in their ranks, Don Maxwell. They have scored a total of 8 half centuries and one century. In a competition that has so far this year been marked by teams dominating with the bat, the ability to convert starts to big scores is paramount. Kenya has also had the advantage of not only twice reaching the semi finals of the event, last year we also reached the final where we fell to Ireland at the last hurdle. Tikolo and his men will no doubt want to go one better this time, and that means they must account for Canada over the next four days. Kenya's top three batsmen average 125, 48 and 35 (Tikolo, Modi and K.Obuya) in the tournament. Canada's best three average 46,44 and 33 (Ali, Davidson and Bagai).
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In terms of experience, the Kenyans also seem to have the advantage over their opponents. We have players who have played more of the longer version of the game, and who have been exposed to a higer level of cricket for longer. In Tikolo, we have perhaps the best batsman never to have played Test cricket, and he is backed up by a good blend of youth and experience. Canada too have some class players, but the difference in experience at this length cricket should be there for us to exploit. In terms of training too, Kenya have been hard at work for a while under Roger Harper. Canada it seems have only come together recently to train, and this too should stand us in good stead.
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So we are favourites to win, and there is the pressure to do so due to the draw with The Netherlands. What happens on the pitch however will depend on the individual performances and how the teams stack up on the day. We have been known to fail against weaker teams before, and must be on our guard against complacency.
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One of the key players for Kenya will be Steve Tikolo, both with the bat and also with the captaincy. If he lives up to his average, Kenya will be looking strong. If he plays his best, we should have Canada on the ropes. Kennedy Obuya must step up to the mark and give the rest of the batsmen a good platform from which to build. Canada's strength will be in their opening bowlers, Osinde and Bhatti, who many tout as the best opening pair in the Associates. It will be up to Obuya and his opening partner to blunt this attack and allow our batsmen a bite at their second string bowlers. With the ball, I believe that both Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo are dangerous enough to give the Canadians plenty of trouble, and young spinner Hiren Variaya should also cause a few jitters.
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I have not yet found a website that will be doing live updates. Due to the time difference, the best I will be able to do is put in my two bob's worth near the end of each day's play.
Some possibilities to try during the match could be:
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If anyone finds somewhere. please let me know.
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