Australia aim to win in Kenya

Australia will be keen to avoid a repeat of the last time they visited Kenya when Ricky Ponting leads the Test and limited overs champions into the triangular one-day tournament on Thursday.

Australia, who arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday after one of their longest breaks from international cricket in almost a decade, were beaten in the first match of the ICC Knock Out Trophy in their previous visit to Kenya in October 2000.

Ponting, who is one-day captain, and his deputy, Adam Gilchrist, are part of the 14-man squad that are hot favourites to win the trophy against Pakistan and Kenya, however.

The world champions, whose last international match was in South Africa in April, declined interviews on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The tournament is part of Australia's build-up to the World Cup in South Africa next February. Over the next six months, they will also play three Tests against Pakistan, host an Ashes series with England, and play a triangular one-day series against England and Sri Lanka.

Australia have brought a strong squad for the tournament, including leg-spinner Shane Warne, right-hand batsmen Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds and Andy Bichel and left-hand batsmen Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher.

Youngster Shane Watson has been introduced into the team, giving him an all-rounder's cap and 20-year-old Queensland spinner Nathan Hauritz will be expected to confirm his arrival as a valuable one-day performer.

Brett Lee, one of the fastest bowlers in the game, will also take part while Mathew Hayden will cement a one-day opening role.

Allan Border replaced John Buchanan as the team coach after the latter sustained a back injury last weekend at the team's training camp in Brisbane.

PAKISTAN SETBACK

Pakistan, who will use the tournament as their home series following security concerns in Lahore, arrived last Friday.

Any hopes of making amends for their poor performance in the Morocco Cup last week suffered a serious setback when right-hand batsman Yousuf Youhana was sent home on Tuesday. The reason for Youhana's dismissal was not immediately clear.

Captain Waqar Younis has said Pakistan failed to live up to their potential in Morocco after the middle order collapsed. Pakistan finished last, while Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 27 runs to win.

"It was unfortunate that the team failed to click in Morocco. We are still a very good team capable of beating any good side," said Younis, adding that the team was upbeat following the return of pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Kenyan coach Sandeep Patil said his team want to keep up the tempo after beating Bangladesh 'A' 3-0 in the three one-day matches.

"There is no shame in losing to world champions, but beating them will be great. The confidence is high and players are very positive," Patil said.

Captain Steve Tikolo admitted the Kenyans were the underdogs, but said: "In cricket, one never knows. We may well win."

The tournament opens on Thursday with Kenya playing Pakistan.

Mail Cricket Editor