In international cricket matches, Kenya is represented by the Kenya national cricket team. As this team reached the semi-final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, it is regarded as one of the strongest associate member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Currently, this team has One Day International (ODI) status up to the ICC World Cup Qualifier to be held in 2009.
In 1951, international cricket began for Kenya, and the team used to have regular matches against Uganda national cricket team and Tanzania national cricket team. Touring teams of various standards have played against Kenya. In 1958, a team of South African Non-Europeans, whose captain was Basil D’Oliveira, played against Kenya. On this tour, the South Africans won both matches.
In 1981, the Kenya team joined the ICC and is regarded as a strong South African country. In 1986, it began playing first-class matches, with the first match against Pakistan national cricket team.
| Country |
Kenya
|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Captain | Irfan Ali Karim |
| Coach | Wynnand De Ridder |
| Website | cricketkenya.co.ke |
| Follow This Team | |
In 1994, the ICC Trophy was played in Nairobi, and Kenya qualified for the 1996 Cricket World Cup as it finished as runners-up to the United Arab Emirates national cricket team. During this cup, Kenya was included in the same group as Zimbabwe national cricket team, West Indies cricket team, Sri Lanka national cricket team, India national cricket team, and Australia national cricket team. In one of the most surprising upsets in the records of the World Cup, Kenya won by 73 runs against West Indies after bowling them out for 93 runs.
Due to its performance in the World Cup, the ICC awarded full One Day International status to Kenya. At the beginning of the 21st century, Kenya toured Zimbabwe and participated in the ICC Emerging Nations tournament, playing against Scotland national cricket team, Netherlands national cricket team, Ireland cricket team, and Denmark national cricket team. This tournament was won by Kenya, and in the following seven-match tour of India, Kenya was defeated only in a single game.
The best moments in international cricket for Kenya were in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. In the first match, Kenya was defeated by South Africa national cricket team. However, in Cape Town, Kenya secured a four-wicket win against Canada national cricket team. Kenya surprised everybody by qualifying for the Super Six and, in the process, became the first non-Test-playing country to advance past the first stage of the World Cup. During the Super Six stage, Kenya was defeated by Australia national cricket team and India national cricket team, but they defeated Zimbabwe national cricket team by 7 wickets and qualified for the semi-final, where they were defeated by India by 91 runs.
During the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Kenya was eliminated from the tournament in the first round. In the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier, Kenya must finish in the top six teams to maintain their ODI status and qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Major Achievements
- Highest team ODI total: 318/5 v Bermuda national cricket team, 1 March 1994 at Nairobi, Kenya.
- Won the 2000 and 2002 ICC 6 Nations Challenge.
