Odumbe to remain as national team coach

Maurice Odumbe

Experienced Collins to lead Kenyan squad

Odumbe to remain as national team coach 

Crestfallen Kenya must put their best foot forward in Oman as they seek promotion to Division Two.

Cricket legend Maurice Odumbe remains as the men’s national team coach.

According to Cricket Kenya Interim Committee Secretary David Obuya, Odumbe and his entire technical bench are set to travel to Oman for next month’s International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division Three Championships if funds will be available.

David denied claims that he was to take up the coach’s role and guide Kenya against five other nations as they seek to climb up the ladder to top flight cricket. “Odumbe is the national head coach and is expected to travel with the team alongside his assistant Lameck Onyango. However, our main challenge now is finances as we are depending on ICC who only cater for a total of 16. We want the entire technical bench to travel because this tournament is very and marks the beginning of our road to recovery,” David said.

Kenya will be up against hosts Oman, Singapore, United States, Uganda and Denmark in the 11-day event set for November 9-19. The World Cricket League is also a determinant in the qualification for the 2023 ICC World Cup. If he travels, this will be Odumbe’s second major assignment having led Kenya to a successful campaign during the ICC Twenty20 Africa Eastern Sub Region qualifiers that saw them finish first ahead of Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Suppose there are no finances to fund the technical bench, he said, the committee will have to decide who travels between Odumbe and Lameck. “We are looking for workable ways that can help us access Cricket Kenya funds because after the treasurer resigned the accounts have not been operational. We are looking at electing a treasurer so we can get funds to facilitate travel and also pay allowances.”

Veteran Collins Obuya will captain the team assisted by youngster Dhiren Gondaria. There will be newcomers in the team as Sachin Bhudia, Jasraj Kundi and Gerald Mwendwa transition from the Under-19 to senior team. The trio were part of the Kenya team that played at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand early this year.

David said they decided to include the youngsters who have been consistent with their clubs to enable a smooth transition. “The youngsters are the future of our cricket. Selectors were impressed with their performance and included them in the team. Above all, we are also looking into the future and the need to expose junior players.”

Collins regained the captaincy having led Kenya in past events. He affirmed his commitment to the team amid fears he had pulled out. “Those are just rumours because I have not pulled out of the team. This is not the time to concentrate on non issues but remain focused because there is a very critical task ahead of us and we need to be at our best mentally and physically to achieve our objective,” Collins said.