Kenyans arrive today

THE Kenyan cricket team arrives today for their two-match series against the Papua New Guinea Hebou Barramundis, which starts on Saturday.
The side is coming off a brief tour of Australia, having played the Northern Territory Strike in three 50-over matches at Marrarara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
Kenya won the first game last Friday by one wicket (Kenya 234/9 chasing NT 233); lost the second on Sunday by four wickets (Kenya 146 all out, NT 150/6) and lost the third match by 81 runs on Tuesday (NT 248, Kenya 167).
Despite the losses, Kenya coach Thomas Odoyo tipped the team to shine in their International Cricket Council World Cricket League Championship 50-over matches against the Barramundis.
Odoyo, who took over the team after the exit of coach Steve Tikolo last month, said he was bringing a balanced squad to Port Moresby, capable of beating the hosts.
“We have a balanced team, with good depth in batting and a lot of options in bowling, which should work in our favour,” Odoyo said.
Talented right-hander Rakep Patel, 26, will captain the side, with the opener one of several Kenyans the Barramundis must contain.
Veteran Collins Obuya, 34, has 104 ODIs under his belt and will be the Africans other mainstay in their line-up.
Odoyo said that his choice of bowlers would be determined by the condition of the wicket at Amini Park.
“We’ve been informed that the two matches will be played on a newly-laid wicket. The wicket will most likely be like Australian ones, which are good for both batting and bowling.
“They are competitive wickets,” Odoyo said.
He said his bowling attack comprised of several all-rounders, who could used in different combinations, depending on the Amini wicket.
Kenya are fourth in the championship, with six points from four games.
The Netherlands are top with 10 points from six matches, followed by Hong Kong (nine points from six games) and Scotland (seven points from six outings).  PNG are sixth with four points from equal number of games. Kenya: Rakep Patel (c), Nelson Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Rushab Patel, Collins Obuya, Gurdeep Singh, Lucas Oluoch, Karan Kaul, Shem Obado, Morris Ouma, Irfan Karim, Emmanuel Bundi, Dhiren Gondria, Nehemiah Odhiambo.