Kenya hope for opening day victory

Irving Romain - Bermuda © CricketEurope

Hosts Kenya will be strong favourites in Nairobi tomorrow when they take on Bermuda in the first match of the inaugural ICC World Cricket League Division 1.

Coach Roger Harper is leaving nothing to chance, however, against opponents who ought not to trouble Kenya unduly.

"It is very important that we treat each challenge the same," said the former West Indies off-spinner.

"We will take each game one at a time - and I know that if we play to our best, we will be very difficult to beat.

"Each team in this competition deserves to be here, and we see every team as a big threat.

"So no matter whom we play, we know we will have to perform well. I view each team as serious competition."

Kenya captain Steve Tikolo is also anxious not to appear complacent.

"I know that Bermuda have some very good players but I really just want to concentrate on our own game so that we can do everything right on the field," he said.

The match at the Jaffery Sports Club Nairobi gets underway at 9.30am local time.

The WCL Div. 1 is designed to be an important part of the Associates' preparation towards the ICC Cricket World Cup in March.

In recent years, followers of Kenyan cricket have wondered about the future of the game in the country once batsman Steve Tikolo retires.

Steve Tikolo - Kenya © CricketEurope

Tikolo is Kenya's captain but youngsters in the squad are impressing.

Nehemiah Odhiambo has been bowling well of late, as has Tanmay Mishra and spinner Hiren Varaiya.

The Kenyans also welcome back Ravi Shah to the fold after a two-year break through injury. The 34-year-old did very well during a recent ODI tri-series in Mombasa, helping his team come out on top against the best that Canada and Scotland had to offer.

Shah could well be the answer to Kenya's problems at the top of the order.

Roger Harper's side has struggled with consistency in positions one, two and three over the past 12 months or so and he will be glad to see Shah in such good touch so soon after such a long lay-off.

With proven quality players like Tony Suji, Thomas Odoyo and Collins Obuya in the mix, this is potentially a formidable team.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's preparation has not been helped by the withdrawal of OJ Pitcher, who sustained a groin injury prior to the squad's departure last week. Pitcher is replaced by experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Kwame Tucker.

Glamorgan captain David Hemp, who was born in Bermuda but brought up in the UK, has been a very welcome addition to the Bermuda squad in recent times with the 36-year-old batsman making a big impact. He scored 247 not out in a first-class ICC Intercontinental Cup match against the Netherlands last November and has brought a steely determination to the team.

"Apart from his great performances on the field, David brings his knowledge, experience and discipline to the table. His professional attitude has been very welcome and he is having a very positive influence," said Logie.

Hemp will be supported by the likes of skipper Irving Romaine, Dean Minors and Clay Smith while the WCL Div. 1 will be a good opportunity for bowlers such as Dwayne Leverock, Saleem Mukuddem and right-arm seamer Stefan Kelly to make a big impact.

The WCL Div. 1 involves the top six Associate teams.

As the six teams in this competition have all qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the WCL Div. 1 is being used as part of their preparations for the event, which opens in Jamaica on 11 March.

But the WCL is about much more.

All games in the tournament carry ODI status so players are competing for their place in the historical analysis of top level one-day cricket.

The top two teams from this year's WCL will qualify for the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Championships, which is scheduled for South Africa in September.

On Tuesday, Ireland take on Scotland at Gymkhana Cricket Club while Canada and the Netherlands go head to head at Ruaraka Cricket Club.