Kenya Team To Play Australian Development Side

Kenya selectors have named the side to take on The Commonwealth Centre Of Excellence team from Australia in three One Day matches starting on Thursday. The second and third matches will be layed over the weekend with all matches to be hosted by Nairobi Gymkhana. Kenya look to be fielding a fairly strong team with many of the players selected already this year either keeping their spots or making a return.

Steve Tikolo will be captain assisted by the on-form Thomas Odoyo who was in fine form for Kanbis again over the weekend. Other players included in the team are:
Kennedy Obuya - probably on his wicketkeeping form rather than his batting which we all hope will return to what it used to be.
Tony Suji - Returns after missing out against Bangladesh.

Tanmay Mishra.
Collins Obuya.
Peter Ongondo.
Nehemiah Odhiambo
Maurice Ouma - showed signs against Bangladesh that he might be improving. Will be a good learning experience for him.
Malhar Patel.
Hiren Variaya - great to see him back in the side. In my opinion should never have been dropped against Bangladesh.
David Obuya - recalled after being dropped following an ordinary start to the year.
Alfred Luseno.
Rakheb Patel.

.

Interesting to see Suji and David Obuya getting a recall. So far, I am not aware that either has done that well in the NPCA league and I would have thought this would be a perfect opportunity to give a real go to some of the youngsters like Ashish Karia and Timothy Muange who have been hovering on the sidelines, but never really given a decent chance. It is good to see Rakheb Patel included for the first time as it looks like he can bat a bit as well as bowl. Luseno, Ouma, Malhar Patel, Odhiambo, Mishra and Variaya are all youngsters that have potential but need more exposure, so great to see them in the side. Lets hope they are able to learn from the experience and make the selectors take note ahead of Kenya's next full International series which will be against Bermuda in November.

.

This will be a tough series for Kenya as the Australian visitors include many who are tipped as future Australian Internationals. They play a tough brand of cricket, and it will do our youngsters the World of good to be exposed to it. All credit to those who organised this visit, and all the best to the team.