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Hong Kong test for Kenya team in quest for elite cricket league

Xinhua, November 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya cricket team's hopes of reclaiming their status in the elite international circuit is dependent on them winning against Hong Kong of China in Nairobi on Nov. 18 and 20 during their clash in the 50-over ICC World Cricket League.

Coach Thomas Odoyo said Tuesday that the team has boosted up their training in hope to be in top form and beat their rivals so that they may regain the one day international (ODI) status lost during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand.

Kenya was accorded the status in 1997 together with Bangladesh. Bangladesh was elevated to Test status, the highest level of the game, three years later. Kenya must win the remaining matches to enhance her chances of regaining the ODI status.

"The team is in great shape and we are happy that they have been able to get their act together. I expect them to win the two matches. Our opening batsman Alex Obanda is in top form to give the side a flying start," he said on Tuesday in Nairobi.

Kenya is the only non-Test playing country to appear in five consecutive World Cups, 1996 to 2011. Kenya is also the only non-Test playing nation to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2003 in South Africa. However, the standard of the game in the country took a nose dive after the 2011 event.

It will be a tall order both for Kenya and other ICC associate and affiliate members to qualify for the 2019 World Cup slated for London as there are no special slots reserved for non-Test playing countries.

Only 10 teams will take part in the world Cup compared to 14 that appeared in the previous Word Cups. There are 10 full members of the ICC.

Kenya, which competes in the World Cricket League, is fifth with six points. Papua New Guinea are top of the league ahead of Netherlands (12 points), Scotland (11 points), Hong Kong (9 points), Nepal (6 points), Namibia (2 points) and UAE (2 points). Endit