Kenya national cricket team

Infobox non test cricket team
country_name = Kenya


image_caption = Flag of Kenya
icc_member_year = 1981
icc_status = Associate with ODI status
icc_region = Africa
current_captain = Steve Tikolo
WCL_division = One
regional_tournament = World Cricket League Africa Region
regional_tournament_division = One
first_match = 1 December 1951 v Tanzania at Nairobi
world_ranking = 12th
regional_ranking = 1st
icc_trophy_apps = 5, plus one as part of East Africa
icc_trophy_first = 1982 (played as part of East Africa in 1979)
icc_trophy_best = Runners up, 1994 and 1997
fc_matches = 35
fc_win_loss_record = 5/12
odi_matches = 99
odi_win_loss_record = 27/65
la_matches = 151
la_win_loss_record = 49/89
asofdate = 26 May 2007The Kenya national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Kenya in international cricket matches. They are considered one of the strongest of the associate member nations of the International Cricket Council, especially since reaching the semi-final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. They currently have One Day International status until the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier.

History

Early days

Kenya's international cricket started in 1951 when regular matches against Tanzania (then Tanganyika) and Uganda began. Touring teams of varying standard continued over the years, including a team of South African Non-Europeans captained by Basil D'Oliviera in 1958. [http://www.friendsofkenyacricket.org.uk/know.html A history of Kenyan cricket] ] The South Africans won both matches against Kenya on the tour, in addition to a match against East Africa. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/EA/1958-59_EA_South_African_Non-Europeans_in_East_Africa_1958-59.html South African Non-Europeans in East Africa] at Cricket Archive]

East Africa team

:"Full article: East Africa cricket team"

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda combined to form the East Africa cricket team, which became an associate member of the ICC in 1966. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/10.html East Africa] at Cricket Archive] They continued playing amongst themselves, and were joined by Zambia in a quadrangular tournament played annually between 1966 and 1980.

India toured East Africa in 1967 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/EA/1967_EA_India_in_East_Africa_1967.html India in East Africa, 1967] at Cricket Archive] and played a three-day match against Kenya on 5 August, which was drawn. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/29/29010.html Scorecard] of Kenya v India match, 5 August 1967 at Cricket Archive] Various tours of, and by, East Africa continued, including a tour of England in 1972 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1972_ENG_East_Africa_in_England_1972.html East Africa in England, 1972] at Cricket Archive] and a first-class match between East Africa and the MCC at Nairobi Gymkhana Club in 1974 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/33/33969.html Scorecard] of East Africa v MCC match, 18 January 1974 at Cricket Archive] before East Africa took part in the first Cricket World Cup.

The 1975 Cricket World Cup took place in England, and East Africa were one of two non-test teams invited to the tournament, the other being Sri Lanka. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1975_ENG_Prudential_World_Cup_1975.html World Cup 1975] at Cricket Archive] Kenya provided half of the fourteen man squad for the tournament. After warm-up matches against Somerset, Wales, Glamorgan and various club sides, they played in the same first round group as England, India and New Zealand, losing to all three. The World Cup was followed by a first-class match against Sri Lanka at the County Cricket Ground, Taunton. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/35/35269.html Scorecard] of East Africa v Sri Lanka match, 23 June 1975 at Cricket Archive]

East Africa then took part in the 1979 ICC Trophy, the first ICC Trophy tournament, but did not progress beyond the first round, thus missing out on qualification for the 1979 World Cup. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1979_ENG_ICC_Trophy_1979.html 1979 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive]

ICC Membership

Long considered the strongest part of the East Africa team, Kenya broke away in 1981 and joined the ICC in their own right as an associate member, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/16.html Kenya] at Cricket Archive] shortly after a tour of Zimbabwe in 1980/81. They played two three-day matches against Zimbabwe on that tour, losing both. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ZIM/1980-81_ZIM_Kenya_in_Zimbabwe_1980-81.html Kenya in Zimbabwe] , 1980/81 at Cricket Archive] Kenya played in the ICC Trophy in their own right in 1982, [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1982_ENG_ICC_Trophy_1982.html 1982 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive] 1986, [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1986_ENG_ICC_Trophy_1986.html 1986 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive] and 1990, [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/NL/1990_NL_Unibind_ICC_Trophy_1990.html 1990 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive] also playing their first first-class match against Pakistan B in September 1986. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/47/47850.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Pakistan B match, 12 September 1986 at Cricket Archive]

1996 World Cup

The 1994 ICC Trophy was hosted in Nairobi and Kenya finished as runners-up to the UAE, thus qualifying for the 1996 World Cup. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1993-94_KENYA_ABN-AMRO_ICC_Trophy_1993-94.html 1994 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive] Kenya then played at home against India A in August 1995, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1995_KENYA_India_A_in_Kenya_1995.html India A in Kenya] , 1995 at Cricket Archive] and went on a tour to South Africa in September/October that year, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/RSA/1995-96_RSA_Kenya_in_South_Afirca_1995-96.html Kenya in South Africa] , 1995/96 at Cricket Archive] before playing in the World Cup, which was to bring Kenyan cricket to a much wider audience, and catapult them into the spotlight.

Kenya were in the same group as Australia, India, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. [http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC96/WC96_RESULTS-SUMMARY.html 1996 World Cup] at Cricinfo] In what at the time was described as the most startling upsets in the history of the World Cup, Kenya bowled out the West Indies for just 93 and won by 73 runs. [ [http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC96/WC96-MATCHES/GROUP-A/KENYA_WI_WC96_ODI20_29FEB1996_ET_MR Article on Kenya's win over the West Indies] ]

ODI status

Following their World Cup performance, Kenya were given full ODI status by the ICC, and hosted a quadrangular tournament against Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka in September/October 1996. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1996-97_KENYA_Kenya_Cricket_Association_Centenary_Tournament_(Sameer_Cup)_1996-97.html Sameer Cup] at Cricket Archive] The Netherlands toured in December, playing four one-day matches, with the Kenyans winning them all. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1996-97_KENYA_Netherlands_in_Kenya_1996-97.html Netherlands in Kenya] , 1996 at Cricket Archive] They played in the quarter finals of South Africa's Standard Bank Cup in March 1997, losing to Natal by 104 runs at Kingsmead. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/63/63651.html Scorecard] of Natal v Kenya match, 12 March 1997 at Cricket Archive] Following this was the 1997 ICC Trophy, hosted in Malaysia. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/MAL/1996-97_MAL_Carlsberg_ICC_Trophy_1996-97.html 1997 ICC Trophy] at Cricket Archive] Kenya reached the final, where they lost to Bangladesh by two wickets. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/63/63800.html Scorecard] of Bangladesh v Kenya, 1997 ICC Trophy Final, 12 April 1997 at Cricket Archive] This was followed by a tri-series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in October the same year in Nairobi. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1997-98_KENYA_Kenya_Cricket_Association_Presidents_Cup_1997-98.html KCA President's Cup] 1997 at Cricket Archive]

England A were the first opposition in 1998, touring Kenya in January. A three-day match was drawn, with England A winning the only one-day match that was not abandoned due to the weather. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1997-98_KENYA_England_A_in_Kenya_1997-98.html England A in Kenya] 1997 at Cricket Archive] After this was another spot in the quarter final of the Standard Bank Cup, this time losing to Gauteng by 8 wickets. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/65/65199.html Scorecard] of Gauteng v Kenya match, 14 January 1998 at Cricket Archive] Kenya visited India in May, playing a triangular ODI series against Bangladesh and India. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/IND/1997-98_IND_Coca-Cola_Triangular_Series_1997-98.html Coca-Cola Triangular Series] 1998 at Cricket Archive] In the final match of the round-robin stage, Kenya beat India by 69 runs. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/65/65848.html Scorecard] of India v Kenya match, 28 May 1998 at Cricket Archive] Kenya then competed in the cricket tournament at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Drawn in the same first round group as New Zealand, Pakistan and Scotland, Kenya only beat the Scots, and finished third in the points table for the group. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/MAL/1998-99_MAL_Commonwealth_Games_1998-99.html 1998 Commonwealth Games cricket tournament] at Cricket Archive]

Kenya warmed up for the 1999 World Cup with a triangular series in Bangladesh against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/BDESH/1998-99_BDESH_Meril_International_Tournament_1998-99.html Meril International Tournament] 1999 at Cricket Archive] In the 1999 World Cup itself, they were placed in the same first round group as England, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Following warm-up games against Somerset, Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, they lost all five of their games in the tournament proper. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1999_ENG_ICC_World_Cup_1999.html 1999 World Cup] at Cricket Archive] Following the World Cup, they played a quadrangular tournament at home against India, South Africa and Zimbabwe, again losing all their games. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/1999-00_KENYA_LG_Cup_1999-00.html LG Cup] 1999 at Cricket Archive]

The 21st Century started for Kenya with a visit to Zimbabwe to play in the ICC Emerging Nations Tournament against Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe A. Kenya won the tournament [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ZIM/1999-00_ZIM_ICC_Emerging_Nations_Tournament_1999-00.html Emerging Nations Tournament] at Cricket Archive] and took this form onto a seven match tour of India on which they lost just one game. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/IND/1999-00_IND_Kenya_in_India_1999-00.html Kenya in India] 2000 at Cricket Archive] Pakistan A toured Kenya in July, playing a five match one-day series and a four-day first-class match. The four-day match was drawn, and Kenya won the one-day series 4-1. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2000_KENYA_Pakistan_A_in_Kenya_2000.html Pakistan A in Kenya] 2000 at Cricket Archive] The 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy was played in Nairobi in October, with Kenya falling to India at the first hurdle. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2000-01_KENYA_ICC_KnockOut_2000-01.html 2000 ICC KnockOut] at Cricket Archive]

The first opponents for Kenya in 2001 were Sri Lanka A, who toured Kenya in January, playing two first-class matches and four one-day matches. Both first-class matches were drawn, and Sri Lanka A won the first two one-day games, with the final two being abandoned. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2000-01_KENYA_Sri_Lanka_A_in_Kenya_2000-01.html Sri Lanka A in Kenya] 2001 at Cricket Archive] The West Indies came in August for two first-class games and a three match ODI series. The first first-class game was won by the West Indies, with the second being drawn, and the three ODIs all went the way of the visitors. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2001_KENYA_West_Indies_in_Kenya_2001.html West Indies in Kenya] 2001 at Cricket Archive] Kenya then played an ODI triangular tournament in South Africa in October, playing against India and the hosts, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/RSA/2001-02_RSA_Standard_Bank_Triangular_Tournament_2001-02.html Standard Bank Triangular Tournament] 2001 at Cricket Archive] and picked up a second ODI win over the Indians. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/73/73213.html Scorecard] of India v Kenya ODI, 17 October 2001 at Cricket Archive] Zimbabwe A toured Kenya towards the end of the year, losing a first-class series 1-0 and a one-day series 3-2. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2001-02_KENYA_Zimbabwe_A_in_Kenya_2001-02.html Zimbabwe A in Kenya] 2001 at Cricket Archive]

Kenya toured Sri Lanka in early 2002, playing three first-class and three one-day matches against Sri Lanka A. Sri Lanka A won all three of the first-class games, but Kenya won the one-day series 2-1. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/SL/2001-02_SL_Kenya_in_Sri_Lanka_2001-02.html Kenya in Sri Lanka] 2002 at Cricket Archive] The MCC toured Kenya shortly after this, playing one three-day match and six one-day matches against the national side. Five of the one-day matches went the way of the Kenyans before the sixth one-day match and the three-day match were abandoned. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2001-02_KENYA_Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_Kenya_2001-02.html MCC in Kenya] 2002 at Cricket Archive] Kenya then played in the ICC 6 Nations Challenge tournament in Windhoek, Namibia, playing against Canada, Namibia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka A and Zimbabwe A. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/NAMIB/2001-02_NAMIB_ICC_Six_Nations_Challenge_2001-02.html 2002 ICC 6 Nations Challenge] at Cricket Archive] Kenya won the tournament, beating Sri Lanka A by 3 wickets in the final. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/74/74465.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Sri Lanka A match, 14 April 2002 at Cricket Archive] In August/September, Kenya hosted an ODI triangular tournament against Australia and Pakistan, losing all four of their matches. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2002_KENYA_PSO_Tri-Nation_Tournament_2002.html Kenya PSO Tri-Nation Tournament] 2002 at Cricket Archive] This was followed by a place in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, though Kenya lost to the West Indies and South Africa, failing to progress beyond the first round. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/SL/2002-03_SL_ICC_Champions_Trophy_2002-03.html 2002 ICC Champions Trophy] at Cricket Archive]

Namibia toured Kenya in November, playing four one-day games. Kenya won the series 2-1, with one game being abandoned. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2002-03_KENYA_Namibia_in_Kenya_2002-03.html Namibia in Kenya] 2002 at Cricket Archive] Kenya then toured Zimbabwe to round off the year, playing three one-day matches against Zimbabwe A, and a three-match ODI series against the full Zimbabwean side. Zimbabwe won the ODI series 2-0, with one match finishing in a no result, and Zimbabwe A won their series against Kenya 2-1. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ZIM/2002-03_ZIM_Kenya_in_Zimbabwe_2002-03.html Kenya in Zimbabwe] 2002 at Cricket Archive]

2003 World Cup and decline

The 2003 Cricket World Cup was to be Kenya's finest moment in international cricket to date. The tournament was to be held in South Africa, with Kenya hosting their two matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. [ [http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC2003/WC2003_SCHEDULE.html 2003 World Cup schedule] at Cricinfo] The tournament started with a defeat to South Africa, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76530.html Scorecard] of South Africa v Kenya match, 12 February 2003 at Cricket Archive] but Kenya bounced back with a four wicket win over Canada in Cape Town. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76549.html Scorecard] of Canada v Kenya match, 15 February 2003 at Cricket Archive] New Zealand forfeited their match against Kenya in Nairobi due to safety concerns, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76599.html Scorecard] of abandoned Kenya v New Zealand match, 21 February 2003 at Cricket Archive] but Sri Lanka did visit Nairobi and lost by 53 runs. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76622.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Sri Lanka match, 24 February 2003 at Cricket Archive] The tournament continued, back in South Africa, with a win over Bangladesh [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76691.html Scorecard] of Bangladesh v Kenya match, 1 March 2003 at Cricket Archive] and a defeat to the West Indies. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76721.html Scorecard] of Kenya v West Indies match, 4 March 2003 at Cricket Archive] Kenya had done enough to qualify for the Super Six stage, becoming the first non-test nation to progress beyond the first round of the World Cup. In the Super Six stage, they lost to India [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76739.html Scorecard] of India v Kenya match, 7 March 2003 at Cricket Archive] and Australia, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76761.html Scorecard] of Australia v Kenya match, 15 March 2003 at Cricket Archive] but beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76761.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Zimbabwe match, 12 March 2003 at Cricket Archive] qualifying for the semi-final, where they lost to India by 91 runs. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76798.html Scorecard] of India v Kenya World Cup semi-final match, 20 March 2003 at Cricket Archive]

Kenya's World Cup success was rewarded with a spot in a quadrangular tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, but they lost all three of their games. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/UAE/2002-03_UAE_Cherry_Blossom_Sharjah_Cup_2002-03.html Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup] 2003 at Cricket Archive]

Kenya's failure in the above tournament is perhaps indicative of how they failed to capitalise on their World Cup success, though it must be said that not all of that failure was on the field. Although Kenya were given plenty of matches against national A sides, and played in the Carib Beer Cup in the West Indies in 2004, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/WI/2003-04_WI_Carib_Beer_Cup_2003-04.html 2004 Carib Beer Cup] at Cricket Archive] Kenya only played two ODIs in the three years after the Sharjah tournament, against India and Pakistan in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/2004_ENG_ICC_Champions_Trophy_2004.html 2004 ICC Champions Trophy] at Cricket Archive]

Off-field setbacks also occurred. Maurice Odumbe was banned for match-fixing in August 2004, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/kenya/content/player/24708.html Maurice Odumbe player profile] at Cricinfo] and a series of strikes by players [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/kenya/content/story/261613.html History of Kenyan cricket] at Cricinfo] led to a weakened Kenyan side being eliminated from the inaugural ICC Intercontinental Cup at the semi-final stage by Scotland. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/81/81056.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Scotland semi-final, 17 November 2004 at Cricket Archive] By the end of the dispute in 2005, Kenyan cricket had no sponsors and was in virtual international isolation. At that stage the governing body had dissolved internally and Kenyan cricket opportunities were limited and international cricket for them had virtually ceased.

Rebuilding

A rebuilding process began in 2005. The player strikes ceased, and Kenya again reached the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup. They warmed up for the semi-finals in Windhoek with a tour of Zimbabwe, to play two first-class and one one-day match against Zimbabwe A. They won all three of those games, [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ZIM/2005-06_ZIM_Kenya_in_Zimbabwe_2005-06.html Kenya in Zimbabwe 2005/06] at Cricket Archive] and drew against Bermuda in the semi-final of the 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/83/83902.html Scorecard] of Bermuda v Kenya match, 23 October 2005 at Cricket Archive] but lost to Ireland in the final, despite scoring 404/4 in their first innings. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/83/83930.html Scorecard] of Ireland v Kenya final, 27 October 2005 at Cricket Archive]

In early 2006, the Kenya Cricket Association was disbanded and replaced by Cricket Kenya. The rebuilding process was in full swing as Kenya began playing ODI cricket again. Their return to ODI cricket was a five match series against Zimbabwe, which was drawn 2-2 with one match abandoned. This was followed by a four match ODI series against Bangladesh, with Kenya losing all four matches in that series. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/BDESH/2005-06_BDESH_Kenya_in_Bangladesh_2005-06.html Kenya in Bangladesh] 2006 at Cricket Archive] Their 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup campaign got off to a poor start with a draw against the Netherlands [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/86/86450.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Netherlands match, 29 March 2006 at Cricket Archive] and a defeat to Canada, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/86/86453.html Scorecard] of Canada v Kenya match, 29 July 2006 at Cricket Archive] but they bounced right back with two ODI wins over Canada at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/CAN/2006_CAN_Kenya_in_Canada_2006.html Kenya in Canada] 2006 at Cricket Archive] Bangladesh toured Kenya in August, winning all three ODIs, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2006_KENYA_Bangladesh_in_Kenya_2006.html Bangladesh in Kenya] 2006 at Cricket Archive] before an Intercontinental Cup draw against Bermuda [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/86/86456.html Scorecard] of Kenya v Bermuda match, 5 November 2006 at Cricket Archive] and three ODI wins over Bermuda. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2006-07_KENYA_Bermuda_in_Kenya_2006-07.html Bermuda in Kenya] 2006 at Cricket Archive]

A triangular tournament in Mombasa against Canada and Scotland began Kenya's 2007 and Kenya won the tournament. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2006-07_KENYA_ICC_Associates_Kenya_Tri-Series_2006-07.html ICC Associates Tri-Series (Kenya)] 2007 at Cricket Archive] They then hosted Division One of the World Cricket League at three grounds in Nairobi, playing against Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland. Kenya also won this event, beating Scotland in the final. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/KENYA/2007_KENYA_ICC_World_Cricket_League_2007.html 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One] at Cricket Archive] This was followed by the 2007 World Cup, Kenya's fourth World Cup. Kenya beat Canada in the first round, but lost to England and New Zealand, thus missing out on the Super Eight stage. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/WI/2006-07_WI_ICC_World_Cup_2006-07.html 2007 Cricket World Cup] at Cricket Archive]

In October 2007, either side of Intercontinental Cup games, Kenya hosted Canada [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/kenya/engine/series/296683.html] Cricinfo, accessed 29 August 2008] and then Bermuda [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/kenya/engine/series/313991.html] Cricinfo, accessed 29 August 2008] in ODIs. Kenya won five straight matches, with strong bowling performances setting up relatively comfortable chases batting second.

In August 2008, after a break of 9 months without an One Day or Twenty20 International, Kenya toured Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands for various series. Rain and poor Kenyan batting performances were the main theme and overall it was a disappointing tour for Kenya.

Kenya initially participated in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the associate qualification tournament for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. One of the favourites at the start of the tournament, Kenya finished second in Group B with a loss to the Netherlands and a win over Canada, before crashing out at the knock out stage to finish fourth with losses to Ireland and Scotland and Kenya failed to qualify for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20.

Following the Twenty20 tournament Kenya participated in three ODI series across Europe. Kenya had two ODI wash outs against Scotland, before losing a rain affected one off match to the Netherlands and a three match series 1-0 to Ireland with two matches affected by rain.

Since the World Cup, a team known as Kenya Select has taken part in Zimbabwe's Logan Cup competition, but did not win a game, [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ZIM/2006-07_ZIM_Logan_Cup_2006-07.html 2007 Logan Cup] at Cricket Archive] also losing to Zimbabwe A. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/120/120501.html Scorecard] of Zimbabwe A v Kenya Select match, 16 May 2007 at Cricket Archive]

Tournament History

=World Cup=

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

ICC 6 Nations Challenge

The future

In the remainder of 2008, Kenya have ODIs scheduled at home against Ireland and away against South Africa.

In 2009, they will take part in the ICC World Cup Qualifier, where they must finish in the top six to retain their ODI status and qualify for the 2011 World Cup. [ [http://www.icc-cricket.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/75500/75588.jpgWorld Cricket League diagram] at the ICC's official website]

The Kenyan selectors have recently announced a 16-man squad for their crucial Internation Cup clash against Ireland,starting on October 11th, which includes 18-year old Seren Waters. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/icccont2007/content/story/373221.html]

Records

One-day internationals

*Highest team total: 347/3 v Bangladesh, 10 October 1997 at Nairobi, Kenya [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Odis/Highest_Team_Totals_Kenya.html Highest ODI team totals for Kenya] at Cricket Archive]
*Highest individual innings: 144, Kennedy Otieno v Bangladesh, 10 October 1997 at Nairobi, Kenya [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Odis/Highest_Player_Scores_Kenya.html Highest individual scored for Kenya in ODIs] at Cricket Archive]
*Best innings bowling: 5/24, Collins Obuya v Sri Lanka, 24 February 2003 at Nairobi, Kenya [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Odis/Best_Innings_Bowling_Kenya.html Best innings bowling for Kenya in ODIs] at Cricket Archive]

Most ODI runs for Kenya [cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=26;type=team| title=Kenya ODI Career Batting| publisher=Cricinfo]

Most ODI wickets for Kenya [cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=2;id=26;type=team| title=Kenya ODI Career Bowling| publisher=Cricinfo]

ICC Trophy

*Highest team total: 318/5 v Bermuda, 1 March 1994 at Nairobi, Kenya [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Icct/Highest_Team_Totals_Kenya.html Highest ICC Trophy team totals for Kenya] at Cricket Archive]
*Highest individual innings: 158 not out, Maurice Odumbe v Bermuda, 1 March 1994 at Nairobi, Kenya [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Icct/Highest_Player_Scores_Kenya.html Highest individual scores for Kenya] in the ICC Trophy at Cricket Archive]
*Best innings bowling: 5/7, Martin Suji v USA, 30 March 1997 at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/Kenya/Icct/Best_Innings_Bowling_Kenya.html Best innings bowling for Kenya] in the ICC Trophy at Cricket Archive]

Players

Current line-up

Kenya's squad for the 2007 World Cup was as follows: [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2007/TOURNAMENTS/WORLDCUP/SQUADS/kenya.shtml Kenya's 2007 World Cup squad] at CricketEurope]

*Steve Tikolo (captain)
*Thomas Odoyo
*Rajesh Bhudia
*Jimmy Kamande
*Tanmay Mishra
*Collins Obuya
*David Obuya
*Nehemiah Odhiambo
*Peter Ongondo
*Lameck Onyango
*Maurice Ouma
*Malhar Patel
*Ravi Shah
*Tony Suji
*Hiren Varaiya

Lists of players

*List of Kenyan ODI cricketers
*List of Kenyan first-class cricketers
*Kenyan national cricket captains

ee also

*Kenyan women's cricket team

References

External links

* [http://cricket.co.ke/ Official Site] "(currently under construction)"
* [http://www.kenyacricket.blogspot.com Kenya Cricket blog]