VITAL PREPARATION: Kenya take on GSFC in their first build up match in India

Batsman Cricket Kenya team Irfan Karim clear ball during a past 4th Round of International Cricket Council World Cricket League Championship match against Hong Kong at Nairobi Gymkana. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO / STANDARD]

The harsh truth that Kenya a once revered cricketing nation is not where it is supposed to be should be motivation for the men’s national team determined to reclaim its rightful place internationally. The Kenyan men know too well that their upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) match away to Nepal is crucial and they all intent to make it count.

Kenya is seeking a ticket to the 2019 World Cup qualifiers set for March 2018 in Bangladesh. Also at stake for Kenya is a chance to reclaim the One Day International (ODI) status the country lost in 2014 after failing to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

They are currently in Baroda, India for a series of friendly matches in readiness for the clash before crossing over to Kirtipur, Nepal. National team coach Thomas Odoyo is confident that the buildup matches will add value to what his charges have already gained in training back home. “My players will gain a lot from these friendly matches because after Hong Kong, we have never played a foreign side. I believe that taking on Indian players will give us invaluable lessons that will come in handy as we face Nepal,” Odoyo said.

Odoyo who played for the country when the mention of Kenya was enough to send shivers to the opponents spine believes that the current crop of players have what it takes to reclaim Kenya’s lost glory. “We have very talented players but international exposure is what they lack. More of these international matches with different sides will surely lift our standards,” he said.

They held their first training session yesterday at Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation (GSFC) Grounds where they will play their first match against their hosts today. There second match will be against the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) under-23 side on Saturday at Reliance Grounds.

They will then face a BCA senior select side on Monday at the same venue before playing the same team at Matibaug Grounds on Wednesday. They will have one day practice sessions in between the matches before finally departing for Nepal on March 9.

The Kenyans, will be led by skipper Rakep Patel who put up a splendid show with the ball taking five wickets in their first match against Hong Kong leading to a three wickets win Duckworth Lewis method. Wicketkeeper Irfan Karim who was impressive with the bat for Kenya as well as Dhiren Gondaria, Nelson Odhiambo and Pushpak Kerai who will be making his international debut.

Kenya are currently fifth on the WCLC log with eight points while Nepal are below them with six from eight matches. Netherlands top the table with 16 points while Papua New Guinea (12), Hong Kong (11) and Scotland (11) are in second, third and fourth places respectively.

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