ICC World Cup 2011: Kenya announces World Cup squad
Cricket Kenya announced their 15 man squad on Wednesday, for the 2011 World Cup that is scheduled to begin from 19th February, in the sub-continent.
Jimmy Kamande was named the captain of the squad. The announcement was more of a formality, as it included the same group that is touring http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 for warm-up matches.
The 32 year old newly appointed captain was included in the 1999 World Cup; however his inclusion at that time was marred by controversies after being reported for having a suspect action. Since then he has reinvented himself as an off-spinner and has rallied
himself to be a very valuable all-rounder for Kenya. He has become a regular contributor with the bat and the ball particularly in limited-overs format of cricket. He has played 81 One Day Internationals (ODI) and has a strike rate of 64.04.
He overtook the captaincy reigns in late 2010 from Maurice Ouma at a time when Kenyan players were struggling to strike a deal with the Kenyan Cricket Board.
Many senior players had rocked Kenyan cricket by initiating a player strike with demands of higher salaries earlier in 2010. However, the selectors rendered the services of two of their most experienced players in International cricket.
Steve Tikolo who headlined the strike, found his way in the 15 member squad. The 39 year old all-rounder, who led his side to the semi-finals in the 2003 World Cup, will be making his fifth World Cup appearance for Kenya. The right-handed middle order batsman,
who relies on his eye, is the most experienced player of the lot. He not only possesses a wide range of strokes but can also be a punishing player at any level. His Chris Gayle reminiscing gentle off spin technique will provide the extra throttle that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752’s
bowling stock need in the spin-friendly decks of the sub-continent.
The other experienced player that finds his name in the squad is Thomas Odoyo. The 32 year old had enlisted himself as Kenya’s most valuable assets in recent years. His powerful batting made him a strong middle-order batsman and he raked in more than 2000
runs at international level in 129 matches with a strike rate of 70.43. He has also proved himself to be a bustling medium-fast seamer taking 138 wickets at an average of 29.66.
The squad will also highlight the potential of nine under-19 players who will be making their World Cup debuts.
Brothers Shem Ngoche, who is a spinner and James Ngoche who will boost the bowling attack have been included. The duo impressed the selectors with their performance in a series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Uganda-c3031.
However, Kenya’s World Cup preparations seem wary as their bowlers have been ineffective against Gujarat and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Baroda-c769, where Kenya has lost all the five matches. On the other hand, the batting line-up has been fairing well in the sub-continent conditions.
There were few surprises in the squad with left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya and seamer Ragheb Aga being left out due to their ineffective form in the World Cup preparations.
Kenya’s coach Eldine Baptiste stated that the Board “had to make some very tough calls and there are some players that have been unlucky to miss out.”
He further stated that even though the team has produced poor results, the team will work hard to learn from the mistakes.
“These 15 players have a huge responsibility to do their country proud and put Kenyan cricket back on the map by performing to their full potential,” he concluded.
Kenya will be heading to Dubai, U.A.E where they will be taking part in a training camp organised by the ICC.
Kenya World Cup squad: Jimmy Kamande (captain), James Ngoche, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Elijah-Otieno-c55866, Peter Ongondo, Morris Ouma, Steve
Tikolo, Rakep Patel, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tanmay-Mishra-c92705.
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