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Don’t expect manna - new cricket coach

Health & Science

By James Waindi

Newly appointed national cricket coach, Eldine Baptiste, took up his job yesterday and told local fans not to expect miracles overnight.

Kenya’s cricket has been on a downward spiral after the national team reached the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa under coach Sandeep Patil. It has been difficult for Kenya to regain its lost glory.

The 49-year-old West Indian said the secret to success lay in discipline, commitment and hard work. He vowed to transform the team before featuring in the 2011 World Cup in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"Nothing in life comes easily. Even Tiger Woods has maintained his position as the best golfer in the world for many years because he hits at least 1,000 golf balls every day.

Short cuts

"It’s all about hard work, commitment and discipline. No short cuts," said Baptiste when he met national team players for the first time yesterday at the Aga Khan Sports Club.

Baptiste, who held a 30-minute meeting with the players, said he would not have sacred cows in his team and urged them to be devoted to national duty.

"I know I have to perform, so are the players, the cricket board and Cricket Kenya," said Baptiste.

"I am happy to have met the players. At least we speak the same language — cricket — and I don’t think we go wrong. The mood in the team is very good and I hope it goes on like that.

"The team has a foundation and picking up from there would be good for me with focus on the World Cup. I plan to be fair to each player so long as they play well and merit to be in the team, whether at 40 or at 12 years," he said.

was open

The coach said he was open to constructive criticism and welcomed suggestions from fans.

"I am the biggest critic in the world and open to positive ideas at any time. I would also be open to new ideas from fans to help the team," Baptiste said.

Baptiste played 10 tests over seven years and West Indies won the lot. It is ironic Baptiste has such an unblemished record, because he hardly set the world alight.

Baptiste, who made his first-class debut for Kent, in 1981, was a useful bowling all-rounder, who wielded the willow with a typical Caribbean flourish, particularly when he walloped 87 at Edgbaston in 1984.

He could field too. That Summer he famously ran out Geoff Miller at Lord’s, knocking his middle stump out of the ground 40 metres away.

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