NAIROBI, Kenya, July 20- CRICKET Kenya (CK) has named Collins Obuya as the new captain of the national team on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old, who signed a new one year contract with Cricket Kenya, has played 92 one-day internationals for his country and was Kenya’s outstanding performer at the World Cup earlier this year.
Obuya, a right handed batsman and right arm left spin bowler featured in the tournament’s top 10 batsmen in Kenya’s botched World Cup campaign.
His first assignment will be leading the side against the United Arab Emirates in the Intercontinental Cup and two 50 over matches next week.
“I am very proud and honoured to captain my country and will do everything I can to ensure performances and results improve,” the new skipper who replaces Jimmy Kamande stated upon his appointment.
“We have some very good players and some very talented ones coming through our system so it is an exciting time to captain a developing team and work with our new coach Mike Hesson and chairman of selectors Alpesh Vadher,” he explained.
Kamande’s contract with CK was not renewed when a fresh squad was constituted in the aftermath of the World Cup.
Chief Executive Tom Sears said: “Collins is a model professional and his hard work and dedication are an example to other players. He is now an extremely experienced and accomplished player who can set the standards on and off the field for others to aspire to.”
He added: “He has demonstrated at the World Cup what can be achieved by Kenyan players on the international stage and as one of our senior contracted players and now captain he has a big role to play in taking the national team forward.”
The association hired New Zealander Hensson on Monday as Kenya seeks to reclaim the lustre that saw them qualify for the semi finals of the 2003 ICC World Cup.
Obuya has a highest first class score of 103 and his finest ODI innings to date has been an unbeaten 98 against Australia at the 2011 ICC World Cup.
