Under 19 lads hit camp for Cricket World Cup preps

The national Under-19 cricket team has started preparations at the Sir Ali Muslim Club for the World Cup set for New Zealand from January 13 to February 3 next year.

The Kenyan lads clinched the sole spot reserved for Africa in next year’s World Cup earlier this month in the qualifiers held in Nairobi that also featured Uganda, Botswana and Ghana.

Uganda started their campaign on a high, winning all their first round matches where they beat Kenya by 69 runs.

However, in the second round of the tournament, Kenya stunned Uganda, who won the toss and elected to bat first in the match.

Uganda was routed for a paltry 60 runs. To qualify, Kenya had to reach the target, 61 in 9 overs to go through on the basis of having a superior run rate. Kenya did it in 8.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.

With the under-19 coach Jimmy Kamande out to ensure all his players have the necessary travel documents, his assistant, Josephat Irungu, took the boys through batting and bowling drills.

Commenting on the team’s preparations for the World Cup, Irungu said: “We are full house. It will do us a lot of good if we could play stronger teams before we leave for New Zealand.”

Irungu also said that a residential training camp would be better for the youngsters.

“The 10-day training camp we had before the World Cup qualifiers did us a lot of good as the boys had ample time bonding with each other.”

On the forthcoming World Cup, Irungu remained confident Kenya will put up a strong performance.

“Kenya will cause surprises in the World Cup. We will beat at least three teams.”