Kenya caught cold by cup fixture

As it had been generally assumed that Kenya did not have any more international games until the middle of the year, the announcement of the itinerary for the 2005 Intercontinental Cup has caught many on the hop, as Kenya are scheduled to meet Namibia at Windhoek between February 25 and 27.

Cricinfo understands that some of the players have not been advised of the match - indeed, several of those likely to be included in the squad are believed to be out of the country. Although Sammy Obingo, the KCA's general manager, insisted that the same squad which represented Kenya in last year's finals in Sharjah would resume training tomorrow, that surprised those we spoke to, who claimed to know nothing about any such plans.

The other issue was the ongoing strike which led to Kenya's fielding a new-look and largely inexperienced side in the final stages of the 2004 competition. Most of the leading African players were left out after a bitter dispute over contracts and outstanding payments, and it does not seem that that situation has changed, although Obingo appeared willing to offer an olive branch.

"They are our players and we don't want to dump them," he told a local newspaper. "We need them so I think it is important we talk."

Kennedy Otieno, one of those involved, said that while the strikers were willing to return, they would not do so unconditionally. "We are still owed money, and no-one seems willing to address that," he explained. "If we are paid we will be back playing."

There are serious doubts whether the KCA has the funds to pay the outstanding amounts even if it wanted to. Rumours have been circulating that the association is effectively broke, with a massive overdraft and little income. There were suggestions that all ICC funding had been cut off from January 1, but Cricinfo has established that this is not the case.

The KCA's position is not helped by the reported indisposition of Sharad Ghai, its chairman, who has apparently been ill in hospital. Ghai, who is very much in hands-on control of the KCA, has been in poor health for a few months.