Kenya World Cup Squad
Batsmen
Seren Waters - 20 - Right Hand Opening Batsman
Maurice Ouma - 28 - Right Hand Opening Batsman - Wicket Keeper
Alex Obanda - 23 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman
David Obuya - 31 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman
Collins Obuya - 29 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman
Rakep Patel - 21 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman
Steve Tikolo - 39 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman
Tanmay Mishra - 24 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
All-Rounders
Thomas Odoyo - 32 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman
Spin Bowlers
Jimmy Kamande (Captain) - 32 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
James Ngoche - 22 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
Shem Ngoche - 21 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler
Fast Bowlers
Nehemiah Odhiambo - 27 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Peter Ongondo - 33 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Elijah Otieno - 23 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Kenyan cricket is in a difficult place right now, rather reminiscent of the Australian team. After reaching the spectacular scene of the 2003 World Cup semi finals, by 2007 Kenya had a rather newer but still experienced and promising side. However things have taken an unfortunate turn since, as the lack of top class cricket has drawn many of the last remaining 2003 stalwarts like Ravi Shah, Lameck Onyango and the Suji brothers into retirement or pastures elsewhere. Furthermore, many of the Kenya's clearly talented young brigade have stagnated notably, unable to hone their skills.
The 2011 squad is a dangerous mix of inexperience and rather advanced age. Six players are making their World Cup debuts, but only five players have any genuine long term international experience. The Obuya brothers may be in their prime, but the same cannot be said for Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo. Tikolo has been a legend of Kenyan cricket, surely their all time most accomplished batsman. However he is now 39 and looked in scratchy form at best during recent warm ups against Indian provincial teams Baroda and Gujarat. However Tikolo and Odoyo do share the special achievement of playing in their 5th world cup, coming full circle after having been part of every one of Kenya's campaigns since their debut on the subcontinent in 1996.
The matches against Baroda and Gujarat, who are lower level teams of vastly inexperienced youth players, did not bode well. Kenya were well beaten in all five matches, putting up little resistance with bat or ball. There were signs however that promising youngsters Walters, Obanda and Patel may have more to offer. Kenya's real problem is in the bowling department and there is every chance they will go for some monumental 400+ scores as they toil hard on flat slow pitches in small regional stadiums throughout the World Cup. Captain Kamande is reliable but hardly penetrating, and the young Ngoche brothers are promising but wayward. The key to Kenya's bowling for the best part of a decade (along with former quick Martin Suji) have been the veterans Odoyo and Ongondo, neither of whom, now in their 30s, have shown any form reminiscent of their former glory days.
Prediction
I've always had a soft spot for the Kenyans as their play enterprising Cricket, and were a wonderful story at the 2003 World Cup, but I fear they might be in for 5 weeks of pain and hardship. Although they'll want more, realistically their aim has to be winning the grudge match with Canada. If their good days coincide with the bad days of notorious teams like Pakistan, New Zealand and Zimbabwe they could have some extra fun. But anything beyond 6th place with a solitary win over Canada would be a major surprise.
Hosford's XI
Waters, Ouma, Obanda, D.Obuya, Tikolo, C.Obuya, Odoyo, Kamande (C), Odhiambo, Ongondo, J.Ngoche
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