World Cup berth vital for Kenyan cricket - Tikolo

Kenya have been a fixture in World Cups since 1996 and are looking to make sure of a 2011 berth with a top-four finish in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers that begin next week in South Africa. Their captain Steve Tikolo said the World Cup "means a lot to us". "This is a World Cup Qualifier so we need to do very well to be among the four teams to qualify so the guys are looking forward to it… Qualifying for the World Cup still means so much to me and it is vital for Kenyan cricket that we get there," he said.

Kenya first hit the headlines, beating West Indies in Pune in the 1996 World Cup. They had an impressive run in 2003 in South Africa, reaching the semi-finals after beating Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However, they have since failed to meet expectations. Kenya emerged victors in Division 1 of the World Cricket League and have picked a young team including players such as Elijah Asoyo, Rakep Patel and Seren Waters. The one notable omission from their squad is veteran allrounder Tony Suji.

"We certainly have some good players coming through so that is encouraging. We have a good mix between the young guys and those of us who have been around a while," Tikolo said. "We have prepared well. We have been to South Africa for a number of games so I would say we are confident."

Kenya are tipped as one of the favourites to qualify - the top four teams win a place in the next World Cup - but Tikolo was wary of complacency.

"But it's important for us to remember that being the strongest or one of the strongest teams in the competition doesn't count for anything if you don't perform on the particular day. I wouldn't say we'll go there thinking we are the top side and that we're going to walk all over the other teams but I can confidently say we have prepared well."