NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24 – Maurice Ouma will captain Kenya for next month’s tour to Ireland.
Ouma will be deputized by fellow veteran Jimmy Kamande in a team that has only one change from the side that took part in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup qualifiers.
Kamande, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo and Hiren Varaiya were all in the running for the role as skipper after Steve Tikolo stepped down immediately after the qualifiers.
Wicket keeper David Obuya has been recalled in place of Rajesh Bhudia in the only change as Kenya opts for an experienced and settled side for the trip to the Emerald Isle.
Kenya will face off with the hosts in the Intercontinental Cup on July 3-6 and will also square off in three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in Dublin.
Both team’s last met in the world cup qualifiers in Pretoria where Kenya won by six wickets with 12 balls remaining.
The Irish won the last Intercontinental Cup fixture in October last year by an innings and 65 runs at the Nairobi Gymkhana.
The last ODI series between both sides was also won by the Irish after they won the first match and the remaining two were washed out.
The trip will be Andy Kirsten’s last as Kenyan coach as the 2003 world cup semi finalists embark on securing the services of another tactician.
Cricket Kenya (CK) decided not to offer the South African a new contract after a string of poor results and failure to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20.
Squad:
Maurice Ouma (captain), Jimmy Kamande (vice captain), Kennedy Obuya, Alex Obanda, Steve Tikolo, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Lameck Onyango, Peter Ongondo, Hiren Varaiya, Rakep Patel, Elijah Otieno, Seren Waters, David Obuya
Management:
Andy Kirsten (coach), Macdonald Suji (Team manager), Thota Sreenivas (analyst), Wyclifee Agola (physio)