Bangladesh Confident

Bangladesh had their first training session at Ruaraka ground yesterday and coach Dav Whatmore was upbeat about his teams chance against Kenya in the three upcoming ODIs. While unhappy with his side's loss to Zimbabwe, he gave credit for the way the team adapted to the different conditions and expected more of the same when they face Kenya in the first match on Saturday.

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The Tigers have made no secret of their disappointment with the loss in Zimbabwe and will be coming to Kenya looking for a big series win to restore the wavering faith of their fans. Kenya need to beware of this, as a wounded side are often the most dangerous. It could however play into our favour as it does increase the already high expectations on the Bangladeshi players. From Kenya's view this is a good thing. After all, many expected Bangladesh to come home from Zimbabwe having won 5-0. It may have been the pressure, it may have been the conditions, it may have been that Zimbabwe played better than expected, most likely it was a combination of all three that made them lose the series, but the important factor is that they did, and there is no reason why Kenya can not also cause an upset or two.

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Our team are due back into the country today, so it will actually be Bangladesh who have the better warm up before the series, but we are playing at home, and Whatmore knows that this can be a real boost, after all, it was his Sri Lankan side we defeated in Nairobi to qualify for the second round of the World Cup. A lot has gone on for Kenyan cricket since then, a lot of it bad. How fitting it would be if this series was the one where we showed that we have come the full circle.

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Bangladesh have every right to be confident after their 4-0 whitewash the last sides met, but Kenya are a stronger team than they were then and have more in the armoury to upset their party. Only 3 sleeps to go...