If there were some surprises at the names selected to play in the national team against Canada, at least fans will be relieved to see that domestic form has been taken into consideration for the A team, who were due to play Canada yesterday in a warm up game and Denmark from next week. Official confirmation that the latter tour is still on is awaited.

Brijal Patel returns to captain the side, a position he has held before. while he has never set the World alight, he has the experience necessary to get the best out of the many new faces in the squad. Almost all of the A team have had a lot of cricket recently in the NPCA leagues and to a man they are players that have been in good form. All rounder Ramesh Mepani has been instrumental in Kanbis' title defence this season and gets a long overdue call up along with team mates Mansukh Naran, Alpesh Bhudia, and Harish Varsani. Rakep Patel is seen as one of the most promising young batsmen in the country at the moment and is a handy bowler as well. In fact with several all rounders in the side, Brijal Patel will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the bowling, though young Kongoni paceman Dominic Wesonga would be expected to be amongst the wickets going on his form so far this season.

Unlike the national team which is based around Swamibapa players, the A team comes from a variety of different clubs and is arguably almost as strong as the national side. How well the players gel will be a crucial factor against both Canada and Denmark, but should they play to their potential, there may be some very worried players indeed in the senior team.

Kenya A squad to face Canada and Denmark:

1. BRIJAL PATEL (Aga Khan)
2. JAMES NGOCHE (?)
3. DAVID MAINA (Ruaraka)
4. RAKEP PATEL (Gymkhana)
5. MANSUK NARAN (Kanbis)
6. ALPESH BHUDIA (Kanbis)
7. RAMESH MEPANI (Kanbis)
8. HARISH VARSANI (Kanbis)
9. FRANCIS OTIENO (Parklands)
10. KEN MEGAI (Telca)
11. MOSES OTIENO (Swamibapa)
12. AMIT SHUKLA (Ruaraka)
13. DOMINIC WESONGA (Kongonis)
14. ABDUL RAMMAN (Sir Ali Muslim)