Somebody give players a bat on the backside

• Performance has plummeted, as manifested by loss of early wickets, paltry runs and lack of early wicket haul, as players shun club duty

Kenya’s opening batsman Alex Obanda, considered the future Steve Tikolo, ought to be at his peak but the youngster has nothing to show for the few matches he has played for Nairobi Gymkhana. The golden touches that Jimmy Kamande, Hiren Varaiya and David Obuya produced with the ball and bat have simply gone.

At least Thomas Odoyo and Collins Obuya have been consistent with Nairobi Gymhana and Nookers clubs, respectively.

Steve Tikolo’s showing in the Zimbabwe Premier League and his local side Stray Lions needs no playing up. Last season, he was among the top Test batsmen in the Zimbabwean League and his return to the team is timely. Tony Suji and Alfred Luseno have managed a standout performance for Nookers but are still below par.

The players’ relationship between the coach, former West Indies all-rounder Eldine Baptiste, has not been good. Besides, players have not been happy with a ‘high-handed’ official in the selector committee.

It’s these frustrations that saw one of Kenya’s prolific bowlers, Peter Ongondo and Lameck Onyango, quit the team.