Players welcome government intervention

Ten leading Kenyan cricketers have publicly backed the move by Ochilo Ayacko, the sports minister, to suspend the Kenyan Cricket Association, arguing that it was the only way that cricket could be salvaged.

"As things stand now, the future of cricket in Kenya is dim and it is with this in mind that we pledge our support to the minister in his decision to get rid of corruption and mismanagement in cricket," Steve Tikolotold reporters. "We do not have personal vendettas against any official but we cannot sit back and watch the game deteriorate.

"The KCA has failed miserably in its duties due to unscrupulous officials at the helm of the association. It is our honourable request to the minister to let the officials be investigated and if found guilty of any crimes let them face the full wrath of the law."

Tikolo's comments came less than 24 hours after 14 players withdrew from the squad to play Namibia as part of their ongoing dispute with the KCA over contracts and backpay.

Sharad Ghai, the mebattled KCA chairman, dismissed the protest. "It is up to them," he said. "They are the same people who wanted to play for Kenya. That is a political statement they are making and they are absolutely wrong to use their positions to make political statements."