NAIROBI, February 9 – Penpix of Kenya's World Cup squad:
JIMMY KAMANDE (capt).
Age 32. Right-hand-batsman/off-spinner
ODIs 81, Runs 1,028, Highest 74, Average 18.03, Strike-Rate 64.04, Centuries 0, Fifties 3, Catches 19.
Wickets 45, Best bowling 4-36, Average 44.42, Economy-Rate 4.85
A former seamer, Kamande was forced to remodel himself as an off-spinnner. Relishes status as Kenya’s captain following in the footsteps of Steve Tikolo and Maurice Odumbe who led the team to greater success in the previous World Cup campaigns. He succeeded Morris Ouma as the new skipper in October.
STEVE TIKOL0
Age 39. Right arm-medium/off-spinner
ODIs 126, Runs 3,304, Highest 111, Average 29.88, Strike-Rate 76.19, Centuries 3, Fifties 24, Catches 67
Wickets 93, Best bowling 4-41, Average 32.86, Economy-Rate 4.78
The former talisman, Tikolo’s vast experience will be heavily relied upon in the sub-continent where he made his debut in 1996. During his tenure as captain, he was known for his unobtrusive team building skills and brilliant fielding. Has come out of retirement.
THOMAS ODOYO
Age 32. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm fast
ODIs 129, Runs 2,316, Highest 111 not out, Average 24.12, Strike-Rate 70.43, Centuries 1, Fifties 7, Catches 26
Wickets 138, Best bowling 4-25, Average 29.66, Economy-Rate 4.55
Another experienced hand having made his debut, at only 17, at the 1996 World Cup, Odoyo has battled against injuries in the last few years. But he remains an integral member of the team and his strength as an all-rounder is an added advantage. Was ranked the top ICC Associate player of the year in 2007.
TANMAY MISHRA
Age 24. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm fast-medium
ODIs 29, Runs 730, Highest 66, Average 31.73, Strike-Rate 73.73, Centuries 0, Fifties 3, Catches 13
The aggressive Mumbai-born middle-order batsman is yet to cement his place in the team. He is known for his free attacking strokeplay and likes to dominate the opposing bowlers from the off.
COLLINS OBUYA
Age 29. Right-hand batsman/Legbreak
ODIs 86, Runs 1,517, Highest 86 not out. Average 24.07, Strike-Rate 68.92, Centuries 0, Fifties 7, Catches 36
Wickets 29, Best bowling 5-24, Average 50.75, Economy-Rate 5.38
He made the headlines as a leg-spinner in the 2003 World Cup, picking up 13 wickets, which includes his best career figures of 5-24 over Sri Lanka in Nairobi. But he has struggled with his bowling and now plays the role of a batsman.
ALEX OBANDA
Age 23. Right-hand batsman/Right arm medium-fast
ODIs 37, Runs 1,094, Highest 96 not out, Average 34.18, Strike-Rate 73.47, Centuries 0, Fifties 8, Catches 13
One of the youngsters who showed a lot of promise as the future of Kenyan cricket having represented the country in the World under-17 event. A top-order stroke-maker he can score big with his attacking style.
PETER ONGONDO
Age 33. Right hand batsman/Right-arm fast-medium
ODIS 77, Runs 385, Highest 36, Average 9.39, Strike-Rate 62.29, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 17
Wickets 77, Best bowling 5-57, Average 29.46, Economy-Rate 4.50
For a player rated as Kenya’s No. 1 seamer, he is expected to spearhead the pace attack in the spin-friendly sub-continent wickets. He will be relied to open the bowling.
NEHEMIAH ODHIAMBO
Age 27. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm medium-fast
ODIs 53, Runs 425, Highest 66, Average 12.14, Strike-Rate 76.43, Centuries 0, Fifties 1, Catches 7
Wickets 57, Best bowling 4-61, Average 34.29, Economy-Rate 5.56
A brilliant fielder who loves taking on the big teams. He achieved his best bowling figures 4-61 against Zimbabwe in October 2009 and is looked upon to provide back-up in the pace attack.
DAVID OBUYA
Age 31. Right-hand batsman/Wicketkeeper
ODIs 67, Runs 1,242, Highest 93, Average 19.71, Strike-Rate 65.19, Centuries 0, Fifties 5, Catches 34
He is the one number one wicketkeeper and has proved very effective in previous World Cup campaigns. He can also open the innings for the team.
MORRIS OUMA
Age 28. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm offbreak
ODIs 67, Runs 1,269, Highest 61, Average 21.15, Strike-Rate 59.43, Centuries 0, Fifties 6, Catches 44
An opening batsman and second wicketkeeper, he relinquished the captaincy last October to concentrate on being a batsman.
SEREN WATERS
Age 20. Right-hand batsman/Legbreak
ODIs 14, Runs 299, Highest 74, Average 21.35, Strike-Rate 56.62, Centuries 0, Fifties 1, Catches 4
The talented opener impressed with a 74 in his first full ODI against South Africa in November 2008 and also took two crucial catches. Now playing for Surrey, he could be one of the players to watch during the World Cup. He has showed he can easily adapt to the Indian conditions after scoring brisky century against Gujarat state during Kenya’s build-up tour match.
RAKEP PATEL
Age 23. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm offbreak
ODIs 23, Runs 320, Highest 92, Average 16.84, Strike-Rate 59.36, Centuries 0, Fifties 1, Catches 8
He can play three roles for the side. Apart from being an opening batsman, he can bowl well at off-spin and he is occasionally used as a wicketkeeper. As a batsman he has proved his resilence against strong opposition.
ELIJAH OTIENO
Age 23. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm medium-fast
ODIs 16, Runs 27, Highest 11, Average 5.40, Strike-Rate 32.92, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 3
Wickets 12, Best-Bowling 3-39, Averages 42.33, Economy-Rate 5.87
An accurate medium-pace bowler who gets bounce from the pitch. He’s also a genuine tailender who has been scoring runs down the order.
SHEM NGOCHE
Age 21. Right-hand batsman/Slow left-arm spinner
ODIs 5, Runs 15, Highest 7, Average 5, Strike-Rate 50, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 0
Wickets 4, Best-bowling 2-28, Average 35.75, Economy-Rate 3.40
Another youngster who forced his way into the senior team from the U-19. His slow left-arm spin has been lacking with the team since the retirement of Asif Karim in 2003. A member of a strong cricketing family that includes Nehemiah Odhiambo, Lameck Onyango (current team assistant coach) and James Ngoche.
JAMES NGOCHE
Age 22. Right-hand batsman/Right-arm offbreak
ODIs 9, Runs 23, Highest 21 not out, Average 3.83, Strike-Rate 41.07, Centuries 0, Fifties 0
Wickets 13, Best-bowling 3-18, Average 18.23, Economy-Rate 35.4
His inclusion adds depth to the bowling attack after he impressed the selectors with his five-wicket haul against a gritty Afghanistan batting order during the ICC Intercontinental Cup qualifier in Nairobi in October.
