Kenyan selectors opt for experience in World Cup squad

The Kenyan selectors can hardly be accused of throwing untried youngsters into the World Cup fray. When they announced their squad for next month's tournament, two names stood out. Asif Karim, the former captain and Davis Cup tennis player, and Alpesh Vadher have both been brought out of retirement for the occasion.

In fact, the party looks remarkably similar to the one that travelled to England for the last World Cup, with one notable omission. Jimmy Kamande, whose bowling action came in for unfavourable scrutiny at the start of the 1999 tournament, is left out. He is a reserve, along with Lameck Onyango and promising batsmen Alfred Luseno and Maurice Ouma.

Left-arm spinner Karim retired from international cricket after the 1999 World Cup, while Vadher has also been recalled to add some experience to the team that was found wanting on their recent tour to Zimbabwe.

Further experience is provided by the outstanding batsman in Kenyan cricket, Steve Tikolo, who will captain the side and will bowl his off-breaks. Former captain Maurice Odumbe will also be expected to overcome his weakness against pace bowling to score the runs of which he is capable, and to bowl off-breaks.

Full squad: Steve Tikolo (captain), Maurice Odumbe, Asif Karim, Alpesh Vadher, Ravindu Shah, Hitesh Modi, Brijal Patel, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Obuya, Joseph Angara, Peter Ongondo, David Obuya and Collins Obuya.