Otieno heads back to B.A.T. - via World Cup semis

Kenya opening batsman Kennedy Otieno is planning a return to the Southern Electric Premier League cricket scene with BAT Sports this summer - after the small matter of playing in the World Cup semi-finals!

Otieno, who also plays under the name of Kennedy Obuya, is set to link up with the Tobaccomen in time for BAT's opening league game at Bournemouth on May 3.

But before he contemplates counting the number of sweaters he'll need to pack into his coffin for a summer in England, the popular Kenya opener and wicketkeeper has more immediate matters on his mind.

Like facing Australia this weekend and then playing in the World Cup semi-finals against India next Thursday!

"We play Australia in the last of the Super Sixes under the Durban floodlights on Saturday, and then it's the semi-finals. It's unquestionably the highspot of all our careers and we're aiming to make the most of it.

"I'm really looking forward to facing Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee at the weekend and hope I manage to keep everything bodily intact so I'm fit for the semi's," chuckled Otieno, who hit a World Cup best 85 against the Aussies in the 1996 tournament.

Otieno, whose teenager leg-spinning brother Collins has been one of the stars of the Kenyan side, reckons he'll enjoy cult hero status when he returns home to Nairobi after next week's final.

"With South Africa knocked out, everyone has taken to us here. It's an amazing experience - but one I really think we've deserved.

"Our bowling, acrobatic fielding and catching here has been quite exceptional - it's been a real joy to see up close," said Otieno, who has so far bagged eight tournament catches and four stumpings behind the stumps.

Yesterday's (WED) seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe - in which Otieno snapped up three catches and a stumping before being trapped leg before wicket for 19 - was Kenya's second Test scalp in a fortnight.

"We did really well to beat Sri Lanka last week and gave India the fright of their lives before Sourav Ganguly hit that marvellous ton to turn the game around," he added.

Otieno's block-bash batting style has certainly proved effective with knocks of 60 against Sri Lanka in Cape Town and 79 against India.

BAT are hoping that Otieno's aggressive batting will help them regain the Premier League championship pennant they conceded to Havant last summer.

"Kennedy will add real quality to our batting, which proved our nemesis last year," said Richard Dibden, the former Hampshire 2nd XI off-spinner, who has taken over the BAT captaincy from David Banks.

"He's a terrific player but, above all, a super guy to have in the dressing room. He coached the colts here three years ago and all the youngsters are relishing his return to Southern Gardens."

BAT are hoping they get a full summer out of Otieno this time around. Three years ago, he scored 319 runs, including centuries against Hungerford and South Wilts, at an average of 53.17 - before being ordered home for squad training in late July by the Kenya Cricket Association.

Otieno, who celebrated this 31st birthday this week, said he was delighted to be rejoining his old BAT team-mates.

"I really enjoyed my time there in 2000. It is a thriving club and I got enormous satisfaction from coaching the youngsters, some of whom have begun to make their mark in the senior teams," he said.

But before Otieno arrives back at BAT, there's some pretty serious cricket to be played ...