The Kenyan lion roars long and loud

When I was in Kenya in 2001, at the then end of a West Indian tour of Zimbabwe, Maurice Odumbe and Steve Tikolo, the former and present captains of Kenya, made it a point to tell me, friend to friend, that, like Muhammad Ali when he beat George Foreman, "We are going to shock the world again."

© Reuters

That first shock referred to, of course, was their win over the West Indies in the 1996 World Cup, and although that line was again remembered when Kenya beat Sri Lanka, I believed more shocks were in store. It seemed, like Odumbe and Tikolo, I was correct, and Zimbabwe and the rest of the cricketing world got another surprise as Kenya qualified for the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup.

Friend or not, these Kenyans undoubtedly play cricket as the West Indians did in the 70s and 80s, with tremendous passion, even though they may be more limited in ability. They play to their full potential and enjoy it thoroughly. In most cases, they have nothing to lose, but now, they may have the World Cup to win.

Zimbabwe were already shaken up with internal wrangling; a selector quit, their best batsman, Andy Flower, announced retirement, and Henry Olonga was selected only to prove that he was not cast into the cold after his political statement. Zimbabwe, consequently, were as unprepared as could be, and that Flower made 63 out of 133 all out tells a sorry tale. Being the veteran and professional that he is, Andy Flower would have known the importance of the game, both to himself and to his team, and it was not a happy exit from the national side for a man who always gave 200 percent on the field.

The find of this World Cup, though, is leg-spinner Collins Otieno Obuya. To date, he has bamboozled two Test-level teams - Sri Lanka and then Zimbabwe - with figures of five for 24 and three for 32. Eight wickets for 56 from 20 overs for a leg-spinner from a non-Test side - amazing! Shane Warne, look out! To be very honest, the world seems to be this chap's oyster.

The Kenyan fielding also reminds me of the Clive Lloyd-led sides of the late 70s and 80s. It is not that they do not have the occasional misfield or dropped catch; every team does. But Kenya does not fear anybody any team. They are as enthusiastic when playing against the big boys of Sri Lanka and South Africa as against Canada and Bangladesh. They play as if every game is their next shot at greatness, and perhaps their last. What a refreshing cricket team!

Whatever happens from here, the Kenyans have already almost progressed to cricketing immortality. The games against Australia and then the semi-final against India notwithstanding, Kenya will be world-famous and as well known as Cameroon was in the 1990 soccer World Cup. Cameroon has since been dubbed the "Indomitable Lions," and the Kenyans play cricket like unconquerable lions!