|
In the first of a series of interviews with
captains of the ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-finalists,
Kenya’s
Rageb Aga explains his side’s aspirations for the three-day
first-class tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Interview with
Kenya Captain Rageb Aga
How
important is the ICC Intercontinental Cup to your team?
It is vital for the future of
Kenya cricket.
It is important that Kenya shows its potential and does well. The
bigger picture for Kenya is attaining Test status and winning this
tournament will be a stepping-stone towards achieving this goal.
Do you think playing three-day
international cricket has benefited your team?
Yes, it has taught us skills that will help us,
skills that can be applied to both types of cricket. It has helped
us improve things like working batsmen out, bowling them out and
working to a plan, for example bowlers working to an extended plan
where they bowl spells of 20-30 overs. Batsmen have to learn
patience and shot selection as this version of cricket requires
batting for long periods, constructing an innings and occupying
the crease.
How
do the tactics for the three day game differ from limited overs
cricket?
It is all about patience and who will crack
first, the bastman or the bowler? It is a very mental and
tactical game, setting fields for different batsmen, working the
batsmen out and bowling to their weaknesses. Batsmen must
construct innings and play for the team by waiting for the bad
ball and putting it away and being prepared to leave the ball. In
One-Day International games it is getting the runs at a targeted
rate that counts.
Can you remember the first time
you played ‘declaration cricket’ (ie not limited overs), where was
it, how many wickets/runs did you get?
The first time was in the
Caribbean in the
Carib Beer series 2004 against Guyana. I bowled well - 31 overs, 4
wickets for 71 runs – but my batting was not too good - 3 and 12
in each innings.
What
were the highlights of the qualifying matches?
It was good to be part of the team that beat
Uganda by an innings, but my highlight was playing against Namibia
in Kenya with a very inexperienced side and with all the work to
do. As a team we did what was necessary to qualify which was a
very emotional but satisfying experience.
What
are your strengths as a team?
We have a blend of youthful exuberance and
experience. We are a team willing to take up any challenge and a
team willing to work for each other.
Have
you made any special plans for any of the opposition?
We’ve already discussed ways to go about
playing
Scotland, doing the basics is
paramount. As for any special plans, you'll just have to wait and
see. |
