Kirsten sets sights on 2011 World Cup

Andy Kirsten has arrived in Nairobi to take up his role as Kenya's national coach and said his main job is to ensure that the side qualify for the 2011 World Cup.

"I have been contracted for a year and my duty is to ensure Kenya qualifies," Kirsten told the Standard. "I first want to settle for the next six weeks, during which I will be drafting my strategy for the team before we bounce to serious business."

Kirsten has less than a year before the World Cup Qualifiers in the UAE to make his mark, but one of the problems he faces is a lack of high-profile matches. Kenya are not scheduled to play any Full Member countries between now and then, although they have a lengthy European tour that takes in Denmark, England and then Associate Twenty20, Intercontinental Cup and ODIs in Ireland.

Kirsten, 44, who has been coaching in his native South Africa, is no stranger to the Kenyan set-up as he assisted Sandeep Patil during the 2003 World Cup. "Kenya players are very talented and I have been following the team's prowess keenly since I left because I have an interest with the team and a close relationships with most of the players. I believe they deserve Test status and that is where we are heading, I'm sure I will enjoy working with the boys."