Cricket World Cup Q: Shem Ngoche delighted to captain Kenya in first ICC home tournament in 17 years

Kenya men’s cricket national team captain Shem Ngoche believes playing at home will serve a “key advantage” as his side embarks on the first round of the 2024-2026 ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League A in Nairobi starting Wednesday 25 September.

Ngoche, 35, will skipper the hosts for the third time in his lengthy career when they come against Jersey on Matchday One of the pathway tournament geared towards qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Speaking of his new role in the team, Ngoche said: “I am really glad to have been selected as the new captain, and this sure adds more responsibility on my shoulders as the next senior guy in the squad. “

On the pressures ahead, Ngoche, who comes in to replace Rakep Patel as skipper, said: “Honestly, it's nothing new. I have always taken the initiative as one of the senior members of the team and all that matters now is to bring everyone on board and execute.”

Perhaps an exciting part of his job will be playing games in front of the home fans, given that Kenya will be hosting an ICC event for the first time since 2007.

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“It's really exciting for us to have games back here,” the bowler said. “Home advantage will probably play a key role here because we know all our grounds, and just that feeling of familiarity with the surroundings.”

“For us, if we can get the home supporters to come over and join us to help build some pressure on the opponent, it will be very huge,” he added.

Kenya, who will be under head coach Lameck Onyango, begin their charge against Jersey at the Ruaraka Sports Club grounds at 9:30 AM.

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