Or is it?

According to the latest article on cricinfo, the search for Kenya's next coach is more than just a two horse race. No new names are however mentioned, so we are still having to wait to see who it will be. The article does indicate that Andy Kirsten will continue as coach for the Ireland tour and that his contract will then finish at the end of July.

As there has yet been no official word from Cricket Kenya on anything to do with the selction process, so all is still pretty much conjecture at this stage. Does today's article mean that CK will not be choosing either Sandhu or Butcher? Or does it simply mean they are holding their options open for as long as possible before making a decision. If it is the latter, then perhaps the fans and players could be forgiven for wondering why it has already been this late given that Kenya's first match into the new Intercontinental Cup is only a couple of weeks away. Given the last result the team had under Kirsten in Europe, this is a fair question as he will again be at the reins for this trip.

Whatever the Cricket Kenya decision, it would be best it were made sooner rather than later. Already ground has been lost preparing for the 2011 World Cup and we are close to missing the boat in terms of bettering our 3rd place in the Intercontinental Cup.

Looking for a new coach

With Kenya scheduled to open their 2009 Intercontinental Cup campaign with an away match versus Ireland on July 3rd, Cricket Kenya appear to be on the lookout for a new coach. Kenya's previous coach, Andy Kirsten was charged with qualifying for the next World Cup, a mission that was accomplished, albeit only just and in unconvincing fashion.

In an advert that was run on the ICC's recruitment page, Cricket Kenya stated they were looking for "a National Coach to drive forward the Kenyan National Team’s preparation for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup". The duration of the contract would be 'up to June 30th 2011 and would be open to extension thereafter' with the new coach ideally able to step into the role in time for Kenya's July commitments.

Now that the application date (5th June) has passed, the advert has been withdrawn and Cricket Kenya have yet to announce if any decision has been made on a short-list of candidates. It is not known if Kirsten is looking to extend his contract for a further term or if Roger Harper (right) who steered Kenya to WCL glory could be lured back.

Whoever gets the position does not have an easy task ahead. Not only must they prepare Kenya's senior team adequately to face increasingly tough Associate competition, but they must also prevail upon the administration the need for Kenya's top players to play more often against each other. They are also likely to face a hostile press who are apt to jump on any slip up by Cricket Kenya and those affiliated with them while ignoring any positives. It may well seem a thankless task, but whoever does take the reigns should also be aware that there is a large latent support base that will get behind them should they be able to produce the results they crave.

We will endeavour to keep you up to dates on developments as they become available.