Kenya: Kamande Still Keen On National Team Captaincy

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

30 March 2011

Kenya national team cricket skipper Jimmy Kamande said he has no plans of giving up the captaincy despite their disastrous performance at the World Cup.

Kamande said he relishes the challenge of captaining the team despite their poor performance at the event.

“I love the job of captaining the side despite our recent poor performances at the World Cup. I still want to lead the team in the future and in other tournaments next year. It’s an honour and privilege to skipper the side even in defeat,” he noted.

Kamande, however, said the team will need a total overhaul starting with leadership at Cricket Kenya and the selection of players if they are to survive in future.

Kamande also asked CK to come up with structures based on age group in a bid to tap cricket talent in the country.

“We have the talent in the country but it is important for players to go through the stages. Other Test playing nations have the structures in place and that is why they are succeeding,” he added.

“Players like Alex Obanda and Nehemiah Odhiambo need to be nurtured for the future as they are the face of Kenya cricket,” he observed.

The Kenya captain said the squad that did the country duty should be left intact and given a chance to test themselves should they qualify for the next event.

“The current crop of players in the national team have the potential to improve and should be given another chance.”

Kamande admitted there were wrangles in the team during the World Cup between senior players and coach Eldine Baptiste.

“It’s true we had wrangles in the team. Senior players clashed with Baptiste and some even recommended I fire the coach. However, I did want to compound the problems hence maintained the status quo,” he added. Kamande asked CK to incorporate former players into the management of the national team in future tournaments.

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