Strikers will play for Cricket Kenya for free

Kenya's striking players have given their support to a move to establish a new government-backed body to replace the embattled Kenyan Cricket Association.

At a meeting on Sunday, Ochillo Ayacko, Kenya's minister for sports, announced that he was setting up a new organisation - Cricket Kenya - to bypass the KCA and to try to bring some semblance of order to the running of the game.

Many of the players who have been on strike since last October attended the meeting, and gave their support to the new body. Steve Tikolo, speaking on their behalf, said that they would immediately end their strike and play for free for the sake of "national pride".

That presents an interesting scenario as the KCA-based national selectors meet tomorrow to name their side for the Intercontinental Cup tie against Namibia which takes place at Windhoek on February 25. The striking players have already withdrawn from the squad, and the availability of several others is unclear. But under ICC competition rules, Kenya has to name its final squad this week.

If the new body subsequently picks its own squad - which will be stronger as it includes the strikers, among others - there is the possibility of two separate groups turning up at Nairobi airport, both with the aim of travelling to Namibia.