Tikolo to guide team to 2011 World Cup

Kenya cricket captain Steve Tikolo will be part of the national squad in the build-up to the 2011 World Cup in Asia.

Tikolo said on arrival in Nairobi from South Africa on Monday - where he led Kenya to the International Cricket Council World Cup qualifiers - that he had only stepped down as skipper.

He, however, will not take part in the 2011 World Cup itself.

When Kenya beat Ireland to secure a berth in the 2011 World Cup, he was quoted as saying: “My legs are going now and I’m getting a little too slow. I think it’s time to let the youngsters come through. I will probably play until the end of this season but I will not be around for the next World Cup. There is plenty of young talent coming through in Kenya so I think the time is right for me to step away.”

Commenting on the qualifiers, the veteran said: “The competition was very tough as all the teams were well prepared. The boys did very well to qualify. We played about ten matches without a break, apart from a day off for training.”

He called for more games in the run-up to the World Cup.

“Kenya is safe for the next four years but we should not rest on our laurels. We must see many young boys coming through to join the team,” he said.

Thomas Odoyo, who has been Tikolo’s vice-captain for nearly seven years, and who is the most likely candidate to take over the captaincy, described the qualifiers as the toughest tournament he has ever taken part in.

Odoyo has appeared in four World Cups and several Champions Trophy tournaments.

“Qualifying is not easy. It is stressful both physically and mentally. The boys did well to achieve what they did,” said Odoyo.

“We were well prepared physically but on the mental aspect we could have done better.”

Meanwhile, Kenya’s top umpire, Subhash Modi, leaves for Zambia on Saturday to officiate in the International Cricket Council Africa Under-19 World Cup qualifiers.

Modi also officiated in the preliminary rounds of the 2011 World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

In Zambia, he will be accompanied by Rockie D’Mello, David Odhiambo, Kutub Kulamabbas, Narendra Dave and Issac Oyieko, all members of the Kenya Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

The qualifier brings together Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia who will fight for the one slot reserved for Africa in the age group championship slated for next year in Kenya.