Kenya team for WCL Div 1 Announced

Cricket Kenya Press Realease:

Cricket Kenya wishes to inform members of the press that the National Cricket Team will participate in the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 which will be held in The Netherlands from 1st – 10th July 2010.

Prior to that, the team will travel to Manchester in the United Kingdom to play in a series of warm matches which have been arranged by Friends of Kenya.

For these two events, junior players have been considered due to Cricket Kenya’s long term objectives for the team’s development. Due to injuries, David Obuya will be unavailable for these two assignments. While Seren Waters, will be unavailable owing to school commitments.

Cricket Kenya is happy to announce the squad as:

Players
1. Morris Ouma Amolo
2. James Kabatha Kamande
3. Collins Omondi Obuya
4. Alex Obanda Auma
5. Elijah Asoyo Otieno
6. Hiren Ashok Varaiya
7. Rakep Rajendrabhai Patel
8. Alfred Luseno Sorongo
9. Nehemiah Odhiambo Ngoche
10. Thomas Odoyo Migai
11. James Otieno Ngoche
12. Shem Obado Ngoche
13. Nelson Odhiambo
14. Francis Otieno Ndege
15. Dominic Saleh Wesonga

The following will act as technical personnel for the team for both tournaments:

1. Eldine Baptiste (Team Coach)
2. Macdonald Oduor (Team Manager)
3. Thota Sreenivas (Match Analyst)
4. Joseph Muthike (Team Physiotherapist)
5. Joseph Asichi (Fitness Trainer)

Valiant effort could not erase the debacle of Day 1

Kenya's copmetetive start to the cricketing year got off to a disasterous start as the team crumbled to 91 all out on the first day of the Intercontinental Cup match versus top of the table Scotland. Only 2 of the Kenyan batsmen Maurice Omua (20) and Collins Obuya (40) made it into double figures as the Scottish seamers ran rampant. It was a collapse that Kenya were to try valiantly to recover from throughout the rest of the match, but the damage had already been done.

Scotland's first innings produced 306 runs, but in truth the bulk of these also came from 2 batsmen: Qasim Sheikh who made 108 and Richie Berrington who contributed 80. Nehemiah Odhiambo spearheading the Kenyan attack took 3/60 and Elijah Otieno chipped in with 2/46 as Kenya toiled hard to get back into the game. Wickets from the usual areas in the spin department (Varaiya 1/38, Tikolo 1/45 and Kamande 2/31) helped the cause, but Scotland were very much in the ascendancy at the half way point with a lead of 185 over Kenya who had already lost Seren Waters not long before stumps.

Hiren Varaiya (pictured) was sent in as night watchman and played the part to perfection. Not only did he survive to stumps but batted on for the best part of day 3 as Kenya slowly but surely eroded the deficit. He faced a massive 237 balls for his career best 44 and though Collins Obuya (38) and Steve Tikolo (34) added quicker runs, it was his effort that provided the glue for Kenya's innings. Overtaking Scotland and setting a target needed someone to step up and make a big score and it was the Kenyan Captain, Maurice Ouma, who did just that making a career best 130 as Kenya set Scotland 109 to win on the final day.

Despite the 3 personal bests produced by the Kenyans in the second innings (Elijah Otieno also chipped in with 13 in a 51 run partnership with Ouma for the 8th wicket, it was never going to be enough and Scotland eased to victory with 8 wickets to spare.

Defeat is never easy to take and Kenya will certainly not be happy with allowing Scotland to take the full 20 points on Kenyan soil, but they should also take heart from how they continued to fight throughout the last 3 days. If the first innings was an illustration of all that is wrong with the Kenyan game - poor shot selection, a questionable line up and complete lack of application, the rest of the game highlighted the great spirit that this team has and produced some fine performances. Both Varaiya and Ouma played the innings of their lives to date and should gain great confidence from them. Collins Obuya showed his potential in both innings, Nehemiah Odhiambo bowled well for his 3 wickets and James Ngoche had a good spell for his maiden First Class wicket on the final day.

Question marks will remain over the team selection - Thomas Odoyo was ruled out at the time of squad selection due to injury, but was able to turn out for southern Rocks at the same time Kenya were playing Scotland. Word from Cricket Kenya is that the coach was unwilling to bank on a player that had broken down early in series before when not fully fit, but in hindsight, Kenya could have done with his talent with both bat and ball. He will surely be missed in the 20-20 World Cup Qualifiers. Peter Ongondo was also left out and while Nelson Mandela toiled hard, he perhaps looked underdone for this level of cricket. His time will come, but it does not look to be here yet.

Jimmy Kamande's spot as vice captain is also open to question as failures in both innings certainly did not help his team's cause, though as usual he bowled well. Shem Obado may well get a run in his place for the 20-20s, though who will be name vice captain is open to conjecture. James Ngoche bowled well in the second innings, but with Varaiya and Tikolo both able to offer proven spin options, perhaps an extra seam option could also have been preferred. Certainly it is odd that Luseno was included in the squad for just the Intercontinental Cup, but despite his pace, not used.

Today sees Kenya take on Uganda in the first match of the 20-20 triangular tournament and the hosts will be hoping for revenge from the 3-0 whitewash inflicted at the end of last year. Lets hope it is the 2nd innings mentality that is brought to the game, not the 1st.

More photos of the IC match will be posted on facebook shortly.

Kenya end year on a high

a markedly improved batting performance by Kenya in their final ODI v Uganda saw the team cruise to a massive 199 run victory to complete a 3-0 series whitewash and end the year on a high.

Maurice Ouma (72) and Seren Waters (55) opened the batting and gave Kenya an opening stand of 118 before Waters was finally trapped lbw by Henry Seyondo. Ouma then teamed up with Alex Obanda and the pair continued to attack the bowlers marching the score to 175. Obanda followed 20 runs later for a well made 57 with 10 overs to go but the platform had already been set.

David Obuya (23 off 18) and Rakep Patel (right) had both been moved down the order and responded in explosive fashion. Patel was particularly impressive smashing 71 off just 29 deliveries including 3 fours and 8 sixes! Run-a-ball cameo contributions from Nehemiah Odhiambo, Tony Suji and Elijah Otieno helped Kenya set 329/6 by the end of their 50 overs and with the bowlers so far in great form, the match already looked half won.

The first ball of Uganda's reply compounded matters for them as their best batsman of the tournament so far, Roger Mukasa, edged Odhiambo for Ouma to take the catch and give Kenya the best possible start to their defence. Akbar Baig (23) and Frank Nsubuga (43) added 75 for the second wicket taking a particular liking to Otieno, but the introduction of James Ngoche soon had both players back in the pavilion and Kenya once again looking strong.

Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals with only Benjamin Musoke (18) and Jonathan Sebanja (11) able to make it into double figures as the Kenyan bowlers continued their dominance. Hiren Varaiya (3/18 off 10) and James Ngoche (3/27 off 10) finished with the best figures, but Nehemiah Odhiambo (2/23) and Nelson Odhiambo (2/15) also contributed to an emphatic victory.

Having won the series 3-0 and with 2 huge margins in the first and last games, Kenya will feel that they have atoned for the 2-0 loss in the 20-20s. Work still remains to be done on the shorter format of the game, that is clear, but at least at ODI level, there is still some breathing space between them and their fast improving neighbour. Unless the development work by Cricket Kenya kicks up a further gear in 2010, the question will still remain for how much longer?

What is extremely positive from this series is to see the bulk of the youngsters in the team standing up and performing. Lucas Oluoch was impressive in both games he played and Rakep Patel continues to gain in confidence. Shem Obado and James Otieno Ngoche both took wickets and Nelson Odhiambo also showed an inkling of what he may be able to achieve. When he took over, coach Eldine Baptise warned the established players that there would be no sacred cows in the team, with the performances of the youngsters this series, there is certainly genuine debate now over several places in the squad and this competition can only lead to a stronger side. Questions still remain over some of the batting, but on the whole the future is beginning to look much brighter than it was a year ago.

Kenya 329/6 (Ouma 72, Patel 71, Obanda 57, Waters 55, Waiswa 2/58)
beat
Uganda 130 (Nsubuga 43, Baig 28, Varaiya 3/18, J Otieno 3/27, Nel Odhiambo 2/15, Neh Odhiambo 2/23)
by 199 runs

Kenya win series 3-0

Waters out ...Aga in

Seren Waters makes way for Rageb Aga in the only change as Cricket Kenya name the squad to take on Zimbabwe in both the Intercontinental Cup and the series of ODIs to follow.

Given that Waters (pictured in action against Ireland earlier this year) has been in form for Surrey seconds and has recently signed an emerging players contract it is both interesting and worrying that he has been left out or opted to be left out. We are currently awaiting confirmation of the reason for his exclusion from Cricket Kenya. Hopefully he will be playing for Kenya again in the near future as he is too good a talent to be allowed to get away. Edit 4/10/09 - Cricket Kenya has confirmed that Seren's first week of University coincides with the Zimbabwe tour and he is required to attend for registration purposes. It is hoped he will be available for future tours once he has settled in. ND

Aga's inclusion is also interesting in that it means that both Darshit Shah and Runish Gudkha miss out despite their recent good showing in the practice matches. Though admittedly figures can sometimes flatter, they looked to be in with a chance and can consider themselves unlucky not tomake the cut. Aga has however been among the wickets since returning from injury and, like Waters, is too good a player for Kenya to lose. It is good to see him return to the fold.

Rakep Patel also keeps his place in the side, perhaps on the back of a timely century yesterday. One of the incumbent squad who had previously not stood up to expectation in the practice games so far, he has kept alive the promise of great things to come. If 2008 was the year the Obanda made a name for himself at an international level, this may well be Patel's year. Considering that he missed the Canada series due to the untimely loss of his father, it is nice that he gets a chance again vs Zimbabwe. So far he has been given only slivers of opportunity, perhaps this tour he will be given enough to prove his worth.

Without Waters in the team, it looks like Maurice Ouma will return to his opening role opening the batting with David Obuya at the other end. Tikolo in his preferred 4 and Ongondo and Varaiya as the main bowlers are the only other obvious starting choices.

3 has been Obanda's preferred spot since coming into the team, but he could face competition from both Patel and Collins Obuya who will also look to contest 5,6 and 7 with Jimmy Kamande and Thomas Odoyo, should he be fit enough to bowl. If he is not, he may be a high profile omission, especially with Nehemiah Odhiambo threatening to move up from the number 8 slot as he continues his exponential improvement as an all-rounder. If Odoyo is fully fit, expect him also to contend for the 7th or 8th position as well as opening the bowling with Ongondo.

Should Odoyo not be fit to bowl his place must be sacrificed and this leaves the door open for Aga to step in, though Luseno, Onyango and Elijah Otieno will also no doubt get a run at some point. Luseno with his extra pace may even be favourite for the Intercontinental Cup rather than the ODIs where he could prove expensive.

I have been asked to give my opinion on the final starting XI and assuming Odoyo is fit to bowl, I would guess for the Intercontinental Cup it will be:
Ouma, D Obuya, Patel, Tikolo, C Obuya, Kamande, Odoyo, Odhiambo, Aga, Ongondo, Varaiya with Obanda as 12th man.

Full Squad:

1. Ragheb Gul Aga

2. Thomas Odoyo Migai

3. Peter Jimmy Carter Ongondo

4. Hiren Ashok Varaiya

5. Nehemiah Odhiambo Ngoche

6. Lameck Onyango Ngoche

7. Collins Omondi Obuya

8. Alfred Luseno

9. Morris Ouma Amolo (Captain)

10. James Kabatha Kamande (Vice Captain)

11. Alex Obanda Auma

12. Rakep Rajendrabhai Patel

13. Elijah Otieno Asoyo

14. David Oluoch Obuya

15. Steve Ogonji Tikolo

The technical personnel consist of the following:

• Eldine Baptiste (National Coach)
• Martin Suji (Assistant Coach)
• Macdonald Suji (Team Manager)
• Thota Sreenivas (Match Analyst)
• Wycliffe Agola (Team Physiotherapist)
• Joseph Asichi (Fitness Trainer)

Hotly contested practice matches create headache for selectors

Perhaps it is not surprising that with one of the most competitive NPCA seasons for years, the recent Kenya squad practice matches have also created a real headache for the selectors and not a few of the incumbent team. Coupled with some of the performances in the league, the practice matches have thrown several new names into consideration for call ups, especially after Eldine Baptiste stated that there are no sacred cows in the team.

So far there have been two practice limited over games and two three-day games. Interestingly it is with the bat that most of the incumbents look safest with most underlining their credentials with centuries and half centuries. Considering that this has been Kenya’s persistent weak spot, this is heartening, even if the pitches were good tracks to bat on. In the bowling department however, all bets are off as a number of players have turned in performances to give them hope of selection while others have struggled to live up to reputation.

What is also interesting is that it is possible that the Intercontinental Cup squad will for the first time possibly contain different personnel to the ODI squad. How funds will affect this is yet to be seen, but there are certainly grounds for considering some variations for the different formats.

To the ODI matches first.

So far the standout player has been the veteran Steve Tikolo. He averaged 97 for the two games scoring 93 in his first game and 101 in the second. David Obuya hit the next highest number of runs, though it was his unbeaten 154 in the second game that made up for a disappointing 9 in the first. Both Nehemiah Odhiambo and Collins Obuya also scored centuries in the first game to bolster their chances of selection, though both failed to make double figures in the second game.

Alex Obanda (46 & 27) and Kenya skipper Maurice Ouma (23 & 42) both got starts and then failed to convert them while Rakep Patel (39 & 14); Thomas Odoyo (11 & 34) and Jimmy Kamande (30 & 8) will all feel they could have done better. Assuming that Seren Waters will be available, and given his recent form a near certainty for selection, this would give a batting line up of:
Waters, D Obuya, Obanda, Tikolo, Ouma, C Obuya. Neh Odhiambo

Then it becomes interesting. Odoyo and Kamande seem to be vying for an all-rounder spot, especially as Nehemiah Odhiambo returned figures of 9-1-43-2 in game 2 to underline his claim to being Kenya’s new number one all-rounder. His first game figures (7-0-53-0) were not nearly as impressive, but perhaps can be forgiven on the back of his century. Odoyo was impressive in the first game, though failed to pick up wickets (8-1-33-0) and was unable to bowl in game 2. Kamande was miserly in both and certainly did himself no damage with his efforts (9-2-36-1 and 7-0-31-1).

Leaving the all-rounder positions aside, choosing four stand-out bowlers will also be tricky. Several bowlers picked up wickets in both games, but were expensive in doing so: Nelson Odhiambo (4-0-23-2 and 4-0-24-1) is threatening to break into the team, but will need to tighten up if he is to be a genuine ODI bowler for Kenya. Alfred Luseno also took wickets, but again needs to concede fewer runs (8-0-64-2 and 9-0-51-2). Peter Ongondo as always can build pressure but looked a little off his best (8-1-55-1 and 5-0-40-1). Hiren Varaiya was aside from Kamande the only player who went for less than 6 an over in both games (9-0-43-1 and 9-0-53-0). Other than the established players, there were two new faces that stepped up to both take 3 wickets in an innings. Runish Gudkha finished with 5-0-35-3 in game 1 including the wickets of Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo and Nelson Odhiambo. He did not play in game 2, but has certainly put forward his name for further consideration. Darshit Shah, a regular performer in the NPCA competition also only played one game taking 3/33 off 7 overs in game 2 again an effort that must also bring him into consideration.

Given their experience, it would be unthinkable to leave out both Odoyo and Ongondo and on current fitness, it would look like the latter would get the nod. If both Gudkha and Shah do both get a call up, then the 14 man ODI squad may look something like this:

Waters, D Obuya, Obanda, Tikolo, M Ouma, C Obuya, Neh Odhiambo, Kamande, Ongondo, Varaiya, Shah, Gudkha, Odoyo, Luseno with the batting line up staying fairly solid and the bowlers rotating.

Other bowlers missing out would be Elijah Otieno (6-0-45-0 and 8-1-65-1), Lameck Onyango (9-0-54-2 and 6-0-65-0) and James Ngoche (5.4-0-45-0 and 6-0-36-0). The only other batsmen missing out would be Peter Kituku (0 & 23).

In the 3-day games, it was again Tikolo who stood out as the pick of the batting scoring 253 runs at an average of 84.3 in his 4 innings including one century. Maurice Ouma showed his improvement at the longer format averaging 83 with top scores of 104 and 97. Collins Obuya was the only other batsman to score a century helping him to an average of 63.25 and David Obuya rounded out the 4 best performers averaging 42.

With Kenya needing at least 3 more batsmen, it now gets interesting. Again we will assume that Waters gets a call up and will play. Kenya’s next best performer in terms of average was Francis Otieno with 40.5, but this was from 3 innings, one of which was 6*, so while he puts himself into consideration, he will need to perform again in the upcoming 2 day game if he is to debut in Zimbabwe. Hiren Varaiya averaged 37, but only from 2 inning, one of which was 11*. He also was the pick of the bowling so would get selection for that alone anyhow. Jimmy Kamande averaged 34.75 but did score a 50 and with his experience and bowling will be an almost certain selection.

Boniface Otiko (Anjere?) averaged 28 but would probably be considered too inexperienced for a call up while Peter Kituku got a couple of starts but only one half century. Either player would need a good showing in the final warm up to justify selection. Alex Obanda also scored a 50 but other than that had several failures so must consider his place imperilled, ditto Odoyo who averaged just 13 from 3 innings while Nelson Odhiambo (15.5) and Rakep Patel (14.75) will also both want to do more to stake a realistic claim for the remaining spot.

Given the above it would look like Waters, D Obuya, C Obuya, Tikolo, Ouma and Kamande will make up the top 6 with one of the others fighting for the 7th spot and possibly one included as a reserve batsman.

On the bowling front, Hiren Varaiya and Peter Ongondo both pick themselves on their performances. Varaiya took the most wickets including one haul of 5/65 and 2 wickets in all other innings. Ongondo finished with 8 wickets from the two games with best figures of 4/26. Jimmy Kamande as I mentioned gets a spot as an all-rounder and was next best with 5 wickets alongside Elijah Otieno, probably the last automatic bowling selection, though his place is no means assured, especially if Odoyo is fit.

Lameck Onyango (4wkts) Alfred Luseno (3wkts) and Runish Gudkha (3wkts) were the others who will be pushing for selection with Gudkha the favourite as he only played one of the matches taking 3-14. Nehemiah Odhiambo picked up an injury so played a limited role so will also be in the running should he recover.

Pending performances in the final 2-day game scheduled for Friday, the Intercontinental Cup squad is shaping up something like:

Waters, D Obuya, C Obuya, Tikolo, Ouma, Kamande, (3 of F Otieno/Kituku/Obanda/Nel Odhiambo/R Patel), (3 of Odoyo/Neh Odhiambo/E Otieno/Gudkha), Ongondo, Varaiya.

Certainly interesting times in terms of selection and all to play for in the remaining 2 day game.

Still a day or so away...

Despite claims in the local press that the new Kenya Captain and squad were to be finalised on Sunday, Tom Tikolo, CEO of Cricket Kenya has informed Kenya Cricket.com via email that:

"The issue of captaincy and team to travel to Ireland will be sorted out in a day or so as all the procedures are in place.

The coach issue is still pending as we await advice from all parties concerned. Meanwhile Andy Kirsten will be going with the team to Ireland on temporary basis."

On the coach issue, this is no surprise at it was already known that Kirsten would continue to act as coach for the Ireland trip. For those waiting on selection and to hear regards the captaincy, this continues to increase the frustration. In terms of selection, it may well be that the selectors will now wait until after the next practice match, due to start today, before making their final decisions. If they had been originally planning on sending the same squad that travelled to South Africa for the World Cup qualifiers, this does make a kind of sense as at least two players not in that party, namely David Obuya and Peter Kituku, both gave indications that they should at least be under consideration for places.

So in the meanwhile, we continue to wait. At least there is the practice match and we will endeavour to bring you updates as they come through.

Is today the day?

Well according to an article in the Daily Nation it is. In the first mention of cricket in about a month the Nation has claimed that Cricket Kenya will announce the new Kenya Cricket Captain today (Sunday 21st June). No official word has actually been heard from Cricket Kenya themselves, but other sources tell me that the Captaincy interviews have been concluded and now we are just waiting on the selection comittee to make their final decision, so today does seem likely. With the team due to jet out for Ireland next Sunday, it is also likely that the travelling squad will be announced at the same time - though with the need get visas organised in advance, it may well be that this is already known to those travelling. It will be interesting to see whether the recent form in the practice game has altered any plans and if Kenya's overseas contingent (who have been in good form of late) will be included. If they are in the mix, it will be the first time for a good while that the selectors will really have to think hard about who is chosen and who will miss out. Here's hoping we see the strongest possible team to take on the Irish, we will need it.

We will endeavour to let you know as soon as we hear anything official on either team or captaincy.