NAIROBI, Jan 26: Key players, including former captain Steve Tikolo, have refused to play for Kenya in ICC Inter-continental Cup matches.

Tikolo, medium pacers Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo, and opening batsman and wicket-keeper Kennedy Obuya had been named in a 31-man squad for a match against Namibia in February and Uganda in March.

"Until we receive further direction from the Minister for Sport, we won't take up the offer," Tikolo, speaking on behalf of the rebel players, said at a news conference.

Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) was accused of mismanagement by the government and disbanded two weeks ago, but the cricket governing body went to court and obtained a temporary order to continue managing the sport. KCA chairman Sharad Ghai dismissed the protest. -Reuters