Tikolo unhappy with selectors

Steve Tikolo, the former Kenya captain and unofficial spokesman for the 13 striking players, has slammed the Kenya board (KCA) after none of them were included in the squad for next month's Intercontinental Cup semi-final in Sharjah.

Sharad Ghai, the KCA's chairman, said that none of the players who boycotted the recent match against Namibia had been picked as they had not reapplied for selection. "We only read about the whole thing in the press," fumed Tikolo. "Is this the way to get in touch with players?

"No KCA official has ever contacted us asking us to apply," he continued. "We have only been reading about it in a section of the press recently and before taking note, the team was named. Now we are the ones being blamed for not applying."

The announcement by Ghai that the players had to ask to formally reapply for selection caught them on the hop, and when he made the statement earlier in the week it raised suspicions that they were about to be omitted.

Against Namibia, the players drafted in to replace the strikers were subjected to considerable heckling, but Tikolo offered those chosen his full support. "We have no problem with the team which has been selected and we wish them all the best since they are our brothers," he said. "I hope they will continue with their form."