Harper's Kenyans summon Windies ghosts of defeat by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 4th March 2007

 

Hosts West Indies face Kenya here on Monday in a World Cup warm-up still haunted by their stunning 73-run defeat to the African minnows during the 1996 tournament.

 

West Indies were still a potent force at the time with the likes of Richie Richardson, an emerging Brian Lara, and the ageless fast bowling pair of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose in their side.

 

The Kenyans, however, posted their first ever World Cup win at Pune in India when they dismissed West Indies for 93 to successfully defend a modest target of 166.

 

But West Indies manager Tony Howard says his side is intent on winning the World Cup this time round.

 

"We have some quite detailed plans for the tournament and we plan to come hard," he said ahead of the match at the Trelawny stadium.

 

"We will think hard and play hard. We are in it to win it. We want it all. We want to win in front our home supporters. We are prepared to beat the best no matter what. We have no real doubts about our ability at this stage."

 

The hosts have another incentive to motivate them against the Kenyans - Roger Harper, the former West Indies off-spin all-rounder, is now their coach.

 

Harper has been in charge a little over a year, and though varying problems have limited his success, he has been a stabilising influence and will bring his intimately vast knowledge of the opposition and the game to the table.

 

Harper also had a stint as West Indies coach between 2000 and 2003.

 

He left the position in acrimonious circumstances, and he complained of the lack of professionalism and cooperation he received from the players.

 

He should have little or no challenges in this area from his Kenya side which is fresh from winning the World Cricket League for ICC Associates.

 

"Kenya is supposed to be the top associate country as far as cricket is concerned," he said.

 

"But it doesn't mean anything unless you show it on the field and we have demonstrated this. I think winning the WCL meant a lot to this team, for Kenya as a whole, and we hope to do the same in the World Cup."

 

The Kenyans are also very familiar with Caribbean conditions. Three years ago, they were the invited overseas team for the West Indies domestic first-class championship.

 

Kenya failed to win any of the seven matches they played during the competition, and they finished at the bottom of the table, but a few of the players left their mark, including present captain Steve Tikolo, who was also a member of the side, when they shocked West Indies in 1996.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)