Kenya injuries all on the mend

DURBAN: Kenyan wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno was back in business behind the stumps yesterday, albeit with a heavily-bandaged arm and the occasional grimace.

Otieno was struck on the left arm by a Brett Lee thunderbolt in the five-wicket loss to Australia on Saturday and had to be helped from the field and rushed to hospital for scans. “Fortunately, it wasn’t broken,” said Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, revealing Otieno would be OK for Thursday’s semi-final against India. “It was still numb yesterday, but the feeling came back today,” was Tikolo’s diagnosis of Otieno’s rehabilitation. Otieno is a crucial member of the Kenyan lineup. He opens the innings, holds the national record for highest score in a One-Day International (144 against Bangladesh in 1997) and is handy with the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

The other injury concerns for the Kenyans surrounded Tikolo himself, and allrounders Maurice Odumbe and Thomas Odoyo. Tikolo is on the mend from tonsillitis, and, with his batting form apparently coming back with his voice, he should play a big role in Kenya’s first eve World Cup semi-final. Both Odumbe and Odoyo suffered from minor groin strains, and were rested against Australia. “They are both coming good now,” said Tikolo. “I expect them to be part of the team for India.” The likable Odoyo, 24, is his country’s leading wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals with 53, and is key to Kenya’s success with his nagging line and length. His hard hitting, which helped Kenya to its victory over Zimbabwe on March 12 in the Super Six and catapulted them to the semi-finals, is also a critical element.

Odumbe won “Man-of-the-Match” honours when Kenya defeated Bangladesh in Johannesburg on March 1, then said he objected to being called a part-time bowler. He has taken 39 wickets and scored 1,277 runs for Kenya. The Kenyans face overwhelming odds to beat India, who have won seven consecutive matches since their nine-wicket loss to Australia here. Kenya lost to South Africa and the West Indies in the group phase and both Australia and India in the Super Six round, but took enough confidence from their six-wicket loss to India and their  five-wicket loss to Australia to be contemplating a spot in the final.