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We Can’t Underrate Kenya — Utseya
Thursday, 08 October 2009 19:33

ZIMBABWE cricket captain Prosper Utseya has warned that Kenya will be a different kettle of fish from the side they thumped 5-0 earlier this year when the two lowest ranked ODI sides meet in Harare next week. When the game in Zimbabwe was suffering under a series of internal squabbles, Kenya looked to have capitalised significantly by reducing the gap between the two African sides.
But the Zimbabweans turned on the style in February to blitz the Kenyans 5-0 in an away series.
“We need to respect them,” said Utseya, who came under sharp criticism after Zimbabwe’s 4-1 series defeat to Bangladesh in August.
“We played very well to beat them (Kenya) 5-0 the last time. But they will definitely want to redeem themselves. They have shown in recent matches that they are a much-improved side. It would be folly to underrate them.”
Once again, Kenya will look up to their respected former captain Steve Tikolo — who now plays in Zimbabwe for the Southern Rocks franchise — for deliverance.
The reliable Tikolo has already shown good form in the Zimbabwe domestic season and the ongoing Intercontinental Cup tie between the Kenyans and a Zimbabwe XI side in Kwekwe.
Off-spinner Utseya also identified current Kenya captain and wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma and batsman Alex Obanda as the other dangermen in the Kenyan outfit.
After the Kenya series, Zimbabwe will proceed to Bangladesh for five more one-dayers. Utseya said his team would take each task as it comes.
“We don’t want to get far ahead of ourselves,” he said. “Bangladesh will be another important series for us. But for now we are fully focused on the task at hand.”
Commenting on the team for the two series released by ZC this week, Utseya praised the inclusion of wicketkeeper-batsman Forster Mutizwa, one of the stars of the whitewash in Kenya.
“I would like to see him settle in the side,” he said. “I believe he is good enough to cement his place in the team.”
Meanwhile, former captain Tatenda Taibu, who is serving a 10-match suspension, has been included in the side although he will only complete his return on the Bangladesh tour.

Full Squad
Prosper Utseya (captain), Tatenda Taibu, Mark Vermeulen, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chris Mpofu, Sean Williams, Charles Coventry, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Forster Mutizwa, Malcolm Waller, Raymond Price, Trevor Garwe, Kyle Jarvis.



Enock Muchinjo