Alpesh Vadher to head selection panel

Cricket Kenya has appointed former batsman Alpesh Vadher, who was part of their 1999 and 2003 World Cup squads, as chairman of their newly-constituted selection panel. The three-member panel will also include a selector and the elite development head, and will be advised by the national coach and captain, who are yet to be named.

The panel will look after selection processes across national teams, with an emphasis on the senior, A-team and under-19 squads. It will recommend players for central contracts and nominate a national captain. Vadher will also be part of the panel that selects the new national coach.

Board chief Tom Sears said Kenyan cricket would benefit from Vadher's experience. "Alpesh has represented his country with distinction and has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he can offer," he said. "It was evident that we did not have the necessary provisions in place to ensure we have a robust selection and talent identification programme. There is no doubt that Alpesh can contribute enormously in these areas."

Vadher said he is pleased with the changes being implemented in Kenya's domestic cricket and the talent available in the country. "There is a great deal of young talent in Kenya. We need to bring those young players through if we are to compete successfully on the international stage in the coming years.

"I am confident that with the changes Cricket Kenya is introducing, particularly in terms of domestic competition, we will have a stronger and wider pool of players to choose from going forward."

The panel is part of several changes being implemented in Kenyan cricket following a dismal World Cup campaign. Kenya went through the tournament without a win, after which coach Eldine Baptiste resigned and captain Jimmy Kamande was sacked. New 20 and 50-over domestic competitions were announced and the central contracts system was overhauled, with quarterly reviews defining whether a player is retained or let go.