|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 22 September 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Tikolo's Kenyans nudge ICC by Srian Obeyesekere The on-going ICC Champions Trophy has seen the International Cricket Council come in for much flak as the tournament reaches the semi final stage. While the long intervals between matches has come in for criticism from several captains, its step motherly treatment of Kenya, still tapping on the doors to enter the elite Test fold, must also add to the critical side of the game's governing body. Kenya, which scored a shock win over the West Indies in the 1995-'96 world cup, must certainly have enhanced its hopes of being counted by the ICC by quite a laudable performance losing by 29 runs to the Windies this time around at the SSC grounds last week. On the back of a captain's innings of 93 by Steve Tikolo in a Kenyan total of 232 all out in 49.1 overs in reply to the West Indies 261, the skipper voiced the hopes of a nation when he echoed the sentiment 'Kenya had done everything for acceptance to the Test fold which was in the hands of the ICC.' He hoped it would come soon with the expectations that `if you play at the highest level more often I think our team will improve.' Where the ICC has fallen short is, its questionable decision in giving Bangladesh the nod ahead of Kenya whose cricket is considered a mite ahead of the sub continent nation. The Kenyans certainly displayed the type of talent if not wholesome, yet good enough to journey the contours of the game at the highest level. Given the chance. If the bowling and fielding underscored them as worthy triers, the batting as it has always was their strong point. Tikolo's knock in almost even time bringing out the type of batsmanship that could hold its own against any from the Test playing countries. While the Kenyans have raised new hope through this tournament, the quarter final stage to the semi finals has seen easy passage for hosts, Sri Lanka from pool-4 and Australia from pool-1 setting up one of the most interesting contests on Friday 29. The second semi final on Wednesday is very likely to be between South Africa, who at the time of writing were down to meet Kenya on Friday 20 in more or less a formality in pool-3, and the winners of the India-England match from pool-2 this Sunday. The Sri Lanka-Australia semi final would in effect see the two countries meet in what would be similar to their 1996 world cup final in Lahore when the island nation captained by Arjuna Ranatunga drubbed Mark Taylor's team. This time around, the Australians come in as a more or less new look outfit having undergone two captaincy changes since then. Steve Waugh, who took over the reins from Taylor, having been replaced by Ricky Ponting. In the run-up matches, for Sri Lanka, skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Marvan Atapattu have been outstanding in the batting department. In the bowling, Muttiah Muralitharan has turned the ball to good effect to be among the wickets along with pacie Dilhara Fernando. But what has raised the morale of the team in that department is the emergence of Pulasthi Gunaratne who has continued the good form with the ball he showed in the recent Morocco triangular where he made his debut. As Chaminda Vaas' new ball partner, the tall and lanky Gunaratne with long arms has indeed been among the wickets keeping the ball on a good length and varying his deliveries to good effect. What is interesting is the re-emergence of utility player Kumar Dharmasena after a long hiatus. Recalled for the game against Holland, Dharmasena bowled to good measure which must see a toss up between him and Upul Chandana for the semi final. Meanwhile, the Australians have shown depth in their batting with Damien Martyn continuing a good run with the bat. Glen McGrath has been among the wickets while maestro Shane Warne must generate the hype for his ability to rise to the big occasion. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
