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Lanka laments Kenya's lack of fight
Jan 23, 2001, 19:30 Hrs (IST)

Nairobi: Sri Lankan cricket officials on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the weak opposition put up by Kenya against their "A" team saying their hosts lacked commitment.

The Sri Lankans, backed by seven Test players, comprehensively won two One-day Internationals and drew their one three-day game in the coastal town of Mombasa and appear set to dominate the remaining three matches of their tour.

"We really thought very seriously about Kenyan cricket. Since they haven't got the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test status, Sri Lanka has decided to support them in their efforts. That's why we've sent a very strong side to Kenya," Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka executive member Ravin Wickramaratne said.

"They have a very good talent in their stores and a great future ahead of them but they need to show a lot of commitment. We really expected a lot more fight between the two teams but we comfortably managed to win in Mombasa," Wickramaratne said.

The Kenyan opposition has not been helped by injuries to their top players including the captain Maurice Odumbe who sat out the two One-day matches.

However the Kenyans, who seem to be facing a lean spell since hosting the ICC Knock-out Trophy last October could draw support from the Sri Lanka national team which struggled in their tour of South Africa which ended yesterday. South Africa won the series 2-nil.

Two members on the touring Sri Lanka "A" side, skipper and all-rounder Kumar Dharmasena and Ruchira Perera, have been called to reinforce the senior team for the tour of New Zealand beginning on January 26.

Copyright AFP 2000