Unfazed Kenyans believe in the impossible dream (18 May 1999)

18 May 1999

Unfazed Kenyans believe in the impossible dream

Bryon Butler

Kenya are undismayed by their opening defeat by Zimbabwe, underwhelmed by the publicity they have received, unimpressed by the bookies' assessment of their chances of winning the World Cup (250-1 to start with, now 500-1 and still drifting) and undaunted by the prospect of facing England at Canterbury today.

Why should a nation which draws all its players from a 10-club Sunday league in Nairobi be unhinged by anything? They have learned that in cricket, as in love, nothing is impossible.

It was, after all, just three years, two months, three weeks and one day ago that they beat West Indies in the last World Cup. Brian Lara and company were whistled out for 93. No problem.

Six days later, it is true, Sri Lanka helped themselves to 398 for five against Kenya (just a bad day at the office) but tour manager Harillah Shah says: "We learned a lot from that tournament and our attitude of mind is now much more ambitious."

The Kenyans have been working hard on attitudes. "We are very positive," confirmed captain Asif Karim yesterday, "and have earned our reputation for creating upsets. If everyone clicks we have a chance against anybody. We have nothing to lose."

They also play better with the sun on their backs and, wearing day-glo green, they practised at Canterbury yesterday in a brisk easterly wind - insisting, all the while, that they are not worried about early-season English conditions.

Kenya have proved so far that they bat brightly and field aggressively, but that their bowling lacks consistency and depth. Martin Suji (who opens the attack with brother Tony) is straight and lively, skipper Karim twirls left arm, wicket to wicket, and Maurice Odumbe is mean enough with his off-spin.

They also feel, sincerely, they are owed some runs by their most celebrated batsman, Steve Tikolo, who has so far managed 19 in three games against Somerset, Gloucestershire and Zimbabwe.

About half their squad play for Nairobi Gymkhana, the champions of the Nairobi League, but they are a mix of professionals and part-timers who listen carefully to their coaches, Alvin Kallicharran and Peter Lever.

Their one victory so far, in their warm-up game at Bristol, was the product of a nicely paced assault on a target of 250 - no heroics, no rushes of blood - which confirmed their batting has substance and discipline.

Kenya, at the moment, has 1,500 players. In three years' time they are hoping it will be 10,000 - unless, of course, they beat England, in which case they will have probably doubled that number by next week.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)