Kenya not ready for Test cricket team’s assistant coach says
Richard Sydenham (Bloomberg) - 21 March 2003
Andrew Kirsten, who helped coach 1,000-1 outsiders Kenya to the World Cup semi-finals, said the team isn’t ready to join the elite group of nations that plays five-day Test cricket.
Kenya became the first non-Test nation to go so far in the one-day cricket tournament that concludes Sunday. The International Cricket Council’s executive board meets today and tomorrow to debate Kenya’s bid to become the 11th Test nation.
“I hope they’re not thrown straight in with the big teams so they get thrashed every time,” said Kenya’s assistant coach Kirsten. “They need time to level the playing field. Kenya is a talented team and has proved it can compete in one-day cricket but Tests are a different matter.”
Bangladesh, promoted to Test cricket in 2000, have lost 16 of their 17 Test matches and hasn’t won a one-day match since. The ICC previously rejected the Kenyans’ bid because of their lack of facilities.
Kirsten, 39, worked with Kenya for a year after a spell coaching Canada. His contract expired and he’ll return to his role as a sports administrator at a school in Cape Town. With coach Sandeep Patil leaving for his native India, the Kenya Cricket Association will be seeking a successor.
“I’d like to stay involved but the structure of domestic cricket would have to change,” said Kirsten, brother of South Africa’s Gary and former batsman Peter. “Their cricketers don’t play enough proper cricket, over three days. I would have to sit down with the authorities to discuss that.”
Kenya beat four Test nations at the World Cup in South Africa, though one was by default when New Zealand refused to travel to Nairobi for security reasons. They defeated 1996 champions Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
“It’s been an unbelievable time,” Kirsten said. “We overstayed our welcome for the past three weeks. It’s been rewarding to work with a nice bunch of guys who are all keen to improve their games.”
If Kenya is not ready, then what about Bdesh. They haven’t won a match in ages.