Kenya face double trouble

COLOMBO.
Kenya face double trouble ahead of their all-important Cricket World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka today, as they counter formidable opponents and differences between players and coach.
Kenya have lost both their matches at the tournament, going down by 10 wickets against New Zealand, after being shot out for just 69, before slumping to a 205-run loss to Pakistan.
Adding to their problems, reports have emerged of internal divisions within the squad.
Cricket Kenya chief Samir Inamdar on Sunday blamed differences between the players and West Indian coach Eldine Baptiste for their lacklustre performances.
But Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande brushed aside the reports, saying his team is united.
“There is no fighting, no worries,” said Kamande. “Maybe there is miscommunication, but I can assure you we are all here as a family and are happy. We will show some improvement in future games.”
Kenyan cricket has been dogged by political problems since the famous run to the 2003 World Cup semi-finals.
It was in that World Cup where Kenya beat Sri Lanka in Nairobi, but that is their only win in five clashes between the two nations.
Kenya have four survivors from that match – Steve Tikolo, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo – but the team looks a pale shadow of that side at the current tournament.
Kamande said every member of the team needed to perform in Colombo.
“We need all 11 players to perform, which has not happened in the last two matches, especially against New Zealand,” said Kamande, whose team conceded a world record equalling 37 wides against Pakistan and were bowled out for 112. – AFP.