Sri Lanka A's tour of Kenya ends in all round dissapointment

A combination of inclement weather, personal injury, and poor organisation has conspired to ensure that Sri Lanka A's tour of Kenya has been of little benefit to anyone. The frustration continued today as the final one-day game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch after the heavy rains this week in Nairobi. The Sri Lankan team are now expected to return home on Sunday.

For the poor weather, no one can be held accountable. Weather patterns in Sub Saraharan Africa have become increasingly unpredictable in recent years and only the most experienced diviners could have foreseen such heavy rains. Indeed, during the ICC KnockOut Trophy in October, the country had been in the grip of a long and painful drought.

Although the Kenyan Cricket Board cannot be held responsible for the weather, the tour organisation has left much to be desired. During the three-day game in Nairobi the board forgot that the employment of a scorer is now commonplace in first class cricket. Only when the players were on the field did the umpires notice the absence of anyone to actually count the runs.

The luncheon interval was then marked by a distinct lack of food when the hungry players returned to their dressing rooms. Thankfully it eventually arrived twenty-five minutes later, leaving the players with barely enough time to scoff it down before the start of the afternoon session.

The absence of a Kenyan board official at the game was duly noticed. For some, the apparent lack of official enthusiasm for this tour was somewhat symptomatic of the current state of Kenya's cricket. In 1996 the side provided the upset of the Wills World Cup with a stunning victory over the West Indies. Five years on the side has regressed despite rich natural talent. There has been much idle talk, but no sustained development plan to ensure the long-term success of the game.

For their part, the Sri Lankan cricket board deserves credit for sending a team to Kenya. They know too well how difficult it can be to attract international teams in the early days. However, the decision to take a strong A side was surely wrong. The players have learnt little except for a few snippets of Swahili. An Under 19 side would have been more appropriate.

True, it may have been different if Kenya's two outstanding players, Maurice Odumbe and Steve Tikolo, had been available throughout the tour. However, you cannot rely on two players forever. On a positive note there is some talent coming through. Kennedy Otieno was impressive and Thomas Odoyo remains a charismatic and exciting all-rounder. Nevertheless, full ICC membership still remains little more than a distant dream.