Kenya hopeful of surprise win against Sri Lanka

Kenya are eying a place in the Super Sixes after New Zealand's refusal to travel to Nairobi gifted Steve Tikolo's side four unexpected points.

Whilst most pundits are predicting a four-team fight for qualification in Pool B, Kenya suddenly sense an opportunity and are approaching Monday's home clash against Sri Lanka in a positive frame of mind.

"The position we are in, we need to win two of our last three matches to make it to the Super Six. After Sri Lanka we play Bangladesh and then the West Indies," said Tikolo, Kenya's captain and middle order rock.

Sri Lanka have won their first three games easily and will be virtually assured of a place in the second round should they claim maximum points against the Kenyans.

Sandeep Patil, the Kenya coach, admitted that the odds were stacked against his side, describing Sri Lanka as a "giant in the one-day game", but also believes that his side has the talent to spring a surprise.

"For us, it's a very big game, but knowing one-day cricket, as you have seen in this tournament anything is possible. On any particular day the team which has played better cricket has chances of winning," Patil said.

"We have Maurice Odumbe, Ravindu Shah, Thomas Odoyo, Collins Obuya. I don't want to single out anybody, but this is a talented side which enjoys its cricket," said Patil.

Kenya sensationally defeated the West Indies at Poona in the 1996 World Cup and then upset India at Port Elizabeth in 2001.

The Sri Lankans, meanwhile, have recognised that Kenya represents a far greater threat than Bangladesh and Canada.

"This game however will be a bit different because Kenya is a better side. You can't underestimate them. Also, we are playing in their home conditions. We have to be positive and finish off on the right note," said Sanath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka's greatest concern is the middle order and the lack of time they have spent in the middle. Despite this Jayasuriya has ruled out major changes.

"The middle-order batting remains a big question at the moment. There is a lot of frustration for the middle-order batsmen. But at the moment, the way things are going we can't do a thing about it. The other teams in the group are also going through a similar phase.

"We need to keep the net run rate up because we don't know what kind of situation we will be faced with qualifying for the Super Sixes. We have to be prepared for all eventualities because net run rate is playing a big role in qualifying for the next stage of the competition," he said.

Fast bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne underwent his first fitness test on his injured right finger on Sunday, bowling flat out for about ten minutes at the nets, but Prabath Nissanka will retain his place after four wickets against Canada.

"Pulasthi is still in a little bit of pain, but we are working on him and see how it goes. He is getting and better by the day. But it all depends on how he feels," said Jayasuriya.

SRI LANKA (from):

Sanath Jayasuriya (c), Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tillakaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Prabath Nissanka, Buddhika Fernando, Jehan Mubarak.

KENYA (from):

Steve Tikolo (c), Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Hitesh Modi, Maurice Odumbe, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Aasif Karim, Brijal Patel.