Harper heaps praise on ICC camp

Roger Harper: 'It will be great for my players to be mixing with players from other countries' © Getty Images

Roger Harper has heaped praise on the benefits provided by the ICC winter training camp, scheduled to start in Pretoria next week.

The annual camp is in its second year, and will be attended by the top talent from the emerging nations of Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Holland and Bermuda.

Harper, the former West Indian offspinner who now coaches Kenya, said: "It will be great for my players to be mixing with players from other countries in an atmosphere like this.

"If they work hard and make the most of this opportunity, I think it will be hugely beneficial for them."

Kenya exceeded all expectations with the cricket they played while reaching the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup, but have played little meaningful cricket since then.

Harper believes the initiative will go some way to compensating for this lack of competition: "Mentally, I think it will make my players more aware of what is required of them at various stages in a one-day game."

"They will also be able to draw on the tremendous experience of the specialist coaches who will be present during the camp".

The initiative is doubly important to Kenya ahead of next year's World Cup because a restructuring of the format means that they are not competing in the Champions Trophy in India this October.