'Violence is mentally disturbing'

Sharjah: His inspiring leadership led Kenya into the semifinal of the 2003 World Cup.

Considered to be one of the greatest batsmen of the era, Steve Tikolo, ironically, has never played Test cricket since his country is yet to get Test status.

He has, however, kept alive the hopes of his country, battling hard for 15 years through his stupendous performances against strong cricketing nations.

"The ongoing violence in our country has mentally affected our players. All of us constantly think about what is happening back home, yet we do try to keep our focus on the game. It is mentally very disturbing," remarked Tikolo, a veteran of 101 one-dayers.

Tikolo is hoping that the violence does not shatter the progress of Kenyan cricket.

"Cricket has so far not been affected in a big way despite the violence. We did manage some practice before coming here.

We are now on the path of recovery after the big decline following our entry into the 2003 World Cup semifinal," he said.

Identifying reasons for the debacle, Tikolo noted: "People who ran the game in Kenya did not have real or sincere interest in the game. They held positions to become rich and not to promote the game."

Tikolo quit as captain in 2004 and led a players' strike in protest against the corruption in cricket administration. "We have a new management in place now. Sponsors are also coming forward.

Tuska is our main sponsor and Sahara Computers has sponsored our national league. It's a matter of time that good youngsters should be coming through the system," he said.

The Kenyan team also lack a coach after former West Indian Test star Roger Harper stepped down. It was under the Indian coach Sandeep Patil that they had reached the World Cup semifinals.

"We had Patil for five continuous years as our coach and that gave him the time to mould our team into a winning unit. We saw the fruits of his efforts in the 2003 World Cup."

Tikolo feels that lack of exposure has also affected Kenyan cricket. "It is important that we play continuously at the international level to maintain and assess our form."

The former Kenyan skipper's only aim now is to see Kenya play in the 2011 World Cup.

"I have only one ambition and that is to see this team qualify for the 2011 World Cup and lift the Intercontinental Cup this year."

On whether he too hoped to play in the 2011 World Cup, the 36-year-old veteran said: "2011 is a long way off. I just take it by the day. With age, injuries are also creeping up.

My aim is to help them qualify for the 2011 World Cup and if I am fit enough, I will play."

Factfile
Tikolo in numbers

• Steve Tikolo has played for Kenya for nearly 15 years as an all-rounder.
• He bats right-handed, while he bowls right-arm medium-pace and also off-break.
• He has played in 101 ODIs and scored 2,785 runs with two tons and 21 half centuries. He averages 31.29.
• In first-class cricket he has scored 3,307 runs with nine tons and 17 half centuries. He averages 52.59.
• As a bowler he has taken 75 wickets in ODIs and 54 wickets in first-class cricket.
• He represented Border in South African domestic cricket.
• He hails from a cricket family. His eldest brother Tom is a former Kenya captain while his other brother David played in the 1996 World Cup.
• In 2002 he was appointed Kenya team captain.