Kenya vs Canada : Time to restore pride & honour

Down and out, it will be all about restoring pride and self- respect as Kenya and Canada clash in their Group A encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi on Monday. While both have been bulldozed by the top sides, their supporters will want their respective teams to come out trumps in this clash of the wooden- spooners.

Even though both teams are on a losing streak, Canada will hold a slight advantage as they have beaten them the last three times — although the World Cup is a different ball game and can get to the best of them.

Experience of playing at the showpiece event will definitely count and the Kenyans can’t be discounted as they have been a part of the showpiece event for the last five times, even qualifying for the semi- finals in 2003.

Canada, on their part, have played in the last two editions — 2003 and 2007 — and way back in 1979. They have a mixture of youth and experience and they can get the better of a Kenyan side which has failed to get youngsters into the system — a fact highlighted by the fact that Steve Tikolo had to come out of retirement to play in this World Cup.

Although the two sides will meet at the World Cup for the first time, they have met often in the last few years as associate teams keep playing among themselves in tournaments organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Having played on the slow and low wickets in Sri Lanka, they won’t find the conditions at the Kotla alien. In fact, Canada spinner Balaji Rao would be keen to get a hold of the ball. The former Tamil Nadu player has impressed one and all with his control.

If records are anything to go by, Harvir Baidwan (seven wickets) and Rizwan Cheema ( seven) have broken the back of Kenya’s batting in their last three meetings and Canada captain Ashish Bagai will once again expect them to shoot the opposition out for a low total.

Kenya were the first to train on Sunday. While they started off with a game of football, they didn’t get into an elaborate net session.

The batsmen were more than happy to play the spinners provided by Delhi and District Cricket Association while the pacers took it easy. Only Thomas Odoyo seemed keen to go all- out against the Kenyan batsmen.

Canada, who had an off day on Saturday, took to the ground with a vengeance. Their trained for close to two hours under the scorching heat.

While cricket fans in the Capital might not have too much interest for the game, it will definitely be a keenly fought contest for the two minnows out to prove a point to their fans back home, who have had nothing to cheer about so far in the tournament.