Kenya are banking on the expertise of fielding coach Jonty Rhodes to revive their fortunes at the World Cup, key player Collins Obuya said on Thursday.
Published: Feb 11, 2011, 10:45 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 11, 2011, 10:45 AM (IST)
Colombo, February 11, 2011
Â
Kenya are banking on the expertise of fielding coach Jonty Rhodes to revive their fortunes at the World Cup, key player Collins Obuya said on Thursday.
Â
Desperate to end a lean period since their surprise semi-final appearance in the 2003 edition, Kenya hired Rhodes to improve their fielding.
Â
Rhodes, the former South African batsman famous for his fielding exploits, took charge of the minnows during a three-week training camp in Pretoria in November last year.
Â
“Jonty’s had a good rub-on-effect on all of us,” said Obuya. “He has infused confidence that we can just go out there and play.”
Â
In 2003, the Steve Tikolo-led Kenyans became the first second-tier team to qualify for the semi-finals of cricket’s marquee limited-overs tournament.
Â
But they slipped into oblivion after that, struggling with controversies that included a long-drawn-out player strike.
Â
During the World League for non-Test playing nations in the Netherlands last year, the team finished last without winning a match, and on a tour of India last month, Kenya lost all their five matches against local sides.
Â
Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande however sounded upbeat about the team’s chances at the World Cup which opens in Dhaka on February 19.
Â
“The 2003 semis spot was a dream for us,” said Kamande. “We will take each game as it comes, and try to be consistent with bat, ball and fielding.
Â
“We are looking at building our team over the next 10 years. For that we have to be consistent.”
Â
Kenya start their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Chennai on February 20 followed by games against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada, Australia and Zimbabwe.
Â
© AFP
