Kenya set for Caribbean trip

Kenya's quest for Test status will take a major leap forward this winter, when they travel to the West Indies to take part in a one-day international series, as well as the Caribbean's first-class championship.

"It's now confirmed and the trip will start on 10 January and last until the end of March," said Sharad Ghai, the secretary of the Kenyan Cricket Association. To prepare for the tour, Kenya will play five home one-day games against Sri Lanka's A team next month. It will be their first competitive action since the former Warwickshire opener, Andy Moles, was appointed as coach.

Moles, who succeeded India's Sandeep Patil - the man who guided Kenya to the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa - has urged the team to be "professional in everything we do, in our preparations, in the way we play the game". With West Indies due to host the 2007 World Cup, the trip will be a useful foretaste of Caribbean conditions.

Despite their success in the World Cup, where they beat Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, Kenya cannot expect immediate elevation to Test status. The ICC has made it clear that they will have to wait until 2005 at the earliest.