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| March 13, 2003 | Thursday | Muharram 9, 1424 |
Cash windfall could rescue Kenyan cricket
BLOEMFONTEIN, March 12: Kenya were not only celebrating their historic place in the semifinals of the World Cup on Wednesday, they were also hoping that the US$500,000 they have earned from their adventure will go a long way in securing the future of cricket at home.
The seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe at Goodyear Park guaranteed them $400,000 for making it to the last four on top of $100,000 earned in the Super Six.
Some senior players said that the money could not have come at a better time with the domestic game facing enormous problems at home.
There has been growing concern that Kenyan youngsters are not being encouraged to take up the sport, and with most of the current World Cup squad over 30, there were worries that the country will not be able to mount another serious challenge at the next tournament in the West Indies in 2007.
“I don’t see us playing in the next World Cup,” one of the senior players in the team said.
“There is no serious competition in the country and the youth are not motivated to play cricket,” said the player, who asked not to be named.
Awarded One-day International status in 1997, Kenya applied for Test status last year, and the request will be considered at the next International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in London in June.
The Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) is quick to point out that the country’s success in the World Cup in South Africa is not the only reason why Kenya should be accorded the highest status.
“Our success in the tournament has come through our own initiative,” said KCA chairman Sharad Ghai.
“Now it is time for the ICC and the Test-playing nations to give us the much-needed exposure we need to improve our game.”
Ghai, who was also the chairman of the Kenyan World Cup organising committee, said the KCA would hold a seminar in April to chart out the future of the sport in the country.
Of immediate concern is the resumption of the national league which was discontinued last year following a row between the KCA and the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association over the management of clubs.
A new league set-up would entail the establishment of a longer version of the game, which is a major requirement for the ICC to grant a country Test status.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Maurice Odumbe celebrated his team’s magical passage to the semifinals and then set his sights on reaching the final.
“People said we shouldn’t be in the Super Six and then they said we shouldn’t be in the semifinal,” said the former skipper.
“They will probably say that we shouldn’t go to the final either, but who knows?
“Now we play India in the semifinal and anything can happen.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Odumbe.
“It isn’t every day you reach the semifinals of the World Cup especially when so many great teams have been knocked out.
“We have proved with our performances that we can play tough, good cricket and we will stay positive.”
Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo was equally ecstatic.
“I am overjoyed that the boys have been playing good cricket and today was no exception,” he said.
“We had spoken about our place in the Super Six. I am absolutely thrilled we have achieved that.
“I am happy for the team although I am not doing much with the bat but trying my best to chip in with the ball.
“It is a great reward for Kenyan cricket and the guys are more happy to get into the semifinals. We’ve left all the monetary calculations to the manager.”
Kenya take on reigning champions Australia in their last Super Six match on Saturday before clashing with India in the semifinal on March 20.
“Australia is a top team and we will just go out and play with the same attitude that has got us this far,” Tikolo said.
“We will have nothing to lose.”
Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak hid his disappointment to compliment the Kenyans.
“The credit must go to the Kenyans, they stuck to their discipline,” Streak said.
Seamer Martin Suji, who was named Man-of-the-Match, said he was not worried at facing the defending champions on Saturday.
“I am not worried about Australia, any team is alright with me,” he said.
“Keeping a good length and line is all you need to do in one-day cricket. And that is what I will do against Australia.”—AFP
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