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by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Kenya will be using their seven-match cricket tour of Sri Lanka to further enhance their chances of becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Manager of the Kenyan team that arrived on Wednesday, Harilal Shah said that he was pessimistic that ICC would grant Kenya Test status because of the finances involved.

"The Test-playing countries money is dependent on the World Cup and the World Cup has already been marketed for a certain figure. There are 10 Tests playing countries and I do not think at the moment the 10 countries want to get us in as part of their cake," said Shah, who was a member of the East African team that played in the inaugural World Cup tournament in England in 1975.

Shah said that with a view to enhancing their prospects towards gaining ICC Test status, Kenya were setting up a first-class structure for three day matches and all teams that come to Kenya have been asked to play more three and four day matches.

"I am quite happy with the results. Recently Zimbabwe 'A' came to Nairobi with about 8 present and past Test players and they won the first 3-day game and drew the second one and, won the one-day series," said Shah.

"Prior to that Kenya drew a 4-day games against the West Indies and New Zealand. We made a tour of India and played Ranji trophy sides like Bombay, Maharashtra, Baroda and Gujerat in 3-day games and drew all of them. We beat them in the one-dayers.

"I think we are beginning to get the experience and I am sure the captain will agree that they enjoy playing 3-day cricket," he said.

Shah said that former Indian Test player Sandeep Patil has been a tremendous influence to cricket in Kenya.

"Sandeep played as a professional way back in the late eighties and nineties so he knows the standard of cricket in Kenya. He is on a long term contract with us and his contribution to the game is very sincere. I am very happy with the performances so far," said Shah at a media conference held at the Cricket Board headquarters yesterday.

Shah said that there is now a structured schools tournament, a regular clubs tournament and the clubs are encouraged to raise a team of youngsters. Through the ICC, Kenya is setting up their first academy which will be ready by April and coaching is taking place at various levels from ages 12 to 16.

"We have started marketing the game all round the country specially in the poor areas. Of all the ICC associated members today, Kenya is the only country which has professionalised some of their cricketers. I am sure the up and coming youngsters will know there is a future for them in the game. A lot of sponsors are coming into the game, but our major problem is finance. I am sure once we get Test status the finaces that we generate will be utilised to turn out more young cricketers," he said.

Coach Patil said that Kenya had certainly improved their standard and tours like the ones to Sri Lanka are very helpful to give them more exposure.

"I am sure we will learn a lot from this tour. I have always believed that they had everything. They have the natural talent, they are very athletic and after they beat West Indies in the 1996 World cup I think that's when they realised for themselves that they can not only play cricket, but can also beat the giants," said Patil.

"It happened again when we beat India in South Africa. What is lacking is the exposure of experience which we are getting in the last few years with so many fixtures. Hopefully, if we continue with the standard of cricket we are playing, we will take a step forward," he said.

Skipper Maurice Odumbe said Kenya's strength has always been their batting and fielding.

"We are working very hard on our bowling with the coach. I can honestly say I don't think we are weak in any department because we have worked hard and we've come a long way. We are a very experienced side and we also have some youngsters. It will be nice to watch them," said Odumbe.

Interim committee vice chairman Michael Tissera welcomed the team and said that Sri Lanka will be taking this tour very seriously as they were exsposing a lot of youngsters to gaining international experience.

Kenya open their tour of Sri Lanka with a two-day fixture against a Development Squad at the NCC grounds tomorrow. 

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