NAIROBI, April 2: Kenya, which became the first non-elite nation to reach the semifinals of the World Cup last month, is set to play in the West Indies’ first-class competition next year.

Kenya, 1,000-1 outsiders to win cricket’s showpiece event in South Africa, produced the surprise of the tournament by beating three Test teams.

Their success spurred the sport’s ruling body to give Kenya Cricket Association US$500,000 a year to help the country achieve Test status and play five-day cricket by 2005.

The country’s previous efforts to become 11th Test nation have failed, mainly because its players lack experience outside one-day cricket — the format used in World Cup.

Kenya’s involvement in the Caribbean, where they would play four-day matches, would boost their Test prospects.

“We have invitation from West Indies Cricket Board and I’ve no doubt we’ll accept, but first we must look at what it is going to cost us,” KCA Chairman Jimmy Rayani said in an interview.

“It’s a great opportunity and will boost our Test bid and may even bring us Test cricket ahead of time.”

Kenya will answer WICB’s offer within 10 days. The cost of playing in eight-team event, including flights to Caribbean, island-hopping, hotel accommodation and player allowances would be “quite substantial,” Rayani said.

WICB offered to help with some expenses.

Roger Brathwaite, WICB chief executive, wasn’t available to comment.

The grant from International Cricket Council must fund more projects than just those by senior team, Rayani said. KCA is trying to develop game across the country by introducing academies.

The Kenyans, who beat 1996 champion Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Test cricket’s newest member Bangladesh at the World Cup, would face Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands and a West Indies youth team.

West Indian first-class cricket was restructured in 2001 to include overseas team and a side of young, homegrown talent in the region’s most prestigious competition. England ‘A’ were first outsiders to get an invitation, Bangladesh played last year and India ‘A’ are taking part at present.

The previous structure helped develop some of cricket’s most successful players including Sir Garfield Sobers, double World Cup-winning captain Clive Lloyd, record-breaking batsmen Viv Richards and Brian Lara, and Test cricket’s most successful bowler Courtney Walsh.—PPI