The Kenya Men’s cricket provisional team reported to camp yesterday, 26th August ahead of the ‘Derby Trophy’ against Uganda and tri – series including Nigeria next month in Uganda.
Of the 31 players who were extended invites to report to camp, five declined as the boys played their first practice match at Eastleigh High School. Obuya Cricket Academy’s opening bowler Steve Biko has slid into one of the vacant spots.
Joseph Onyango who has had a niggle for the last five weeks declined the invitation on account of not being 100% fit. “I hope I set a precedence of not going on tour knowing very well that you have an injury just because you have been called up. Players have been doing so since time immemorial and we need to put an end to that bad habit. If you cannot help the team, don’t deny someone else that opportunity to showcase their skill. I finished my physiotherapy sessions and I’m still a few weeks out before I can even fully sprint but we are happy with my progress. The opportunities will come, this is just not my time.”
Onyango got hurt during Stray Lions Cricket Club’s second match of the season against Ngara Sports Club ‘A’ on 18th July and has been out of action since.
The Kanbis Sports Club ‘A’ trio that includes Prolific batter Rakep Patel, top order batter Dhiren Gondaria and paceman Sachin Bhudia also couldn’t make the squad citing personal reasons that include family and work commitments.
Sikh Union Sports Club ‘A’s skipper Sukhdeep Singh declined the invite due to a clashing school schedule that has him sitting for his exams within the same period.
SUMMARY RESULTS – PRACTICE MATCH 1
KARIM’S XI – 8/283
GURDEEP SINGH – 79 (108)
ZAHID ABBAS – 66 (79)
IRFAN KARIM – 36 (44)
Nehemiah Ngoche – 2/35
NEHEMIAH’S XI – 10/125
RUSHAB PATEL – 41 (62)
SHEM NGOCHE – 20 (14)
Eugene Maneno – 3/30
James Ngoche – 2/14
Emmanuel Bundi – 2/13
Kenya Cricket 