The Kenya national women's cricket team is the team that represents the country of Kenyain international women's cricket. Their first matches were in January 2006 when they played a triangular series against Kenya A and Uganda. They played in the African regional qualifiers for the 2009 World Cup in December 2006 againstTanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. They performed poorly in the tournament, finishing in last place. In December 2009,they won the Africa Women Championships under the captainship ofEmily Ruto. In 2008, Sarah Bhakita scored unbeaten 186 against Rwanda to emerge the second woman in the world to achieve the feat in an international match. The Kenya Lwomen's Cricket team also participated in the World Cup Qualifiers held in Nairobi in December 2010, missing an opportunity to represent the continent by negligible scores, having tied with Zimbabwe at second place. South Africa who won all their matches and Zimbabwe achieved that feat instead.
In December 2011, the women' team represented the country in Kampala, Uganda at the annual Africa Cricket Championships finishing fourth after the winners Uganda, Tanzania and Namibia. the other participating countries were Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
In April 2016, they will play in 2016 ICC Africa Women's World Twenty20 to qualify for 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 in West Indies.
Cricket in Kenya
Cricket is the second most popular sport in Kenya. Kenya has competed in the Cricket World Cup since 1996. They upset some of the World's best teams and reached semi-finals of the 2003 tournament. They also won the inaugural World Cricket League Division 1 hosted in Nairobi and participated in the World T20. Their most successful player is Steve Tikolo. Cricket has always been played only at club level in cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and central province. But there never was a competition where these cities played each other until the Zonal League was started.
Current Squad
The are the player who played in 2016 ICC Africa Women's World Twenty20:
Sylvia Kinyua - Captain
· Sarah Bhakita
· Margaret Banja
· Mary Bele
· Mercyline Adhiambo
· Mary Wambui
· Daisy Wairimu
· Ruth Mwihaki
· Edith Wanjiru
· Queentor Aoko
· Venesa Adhiambo
· Ruth Ambiyo
· Esther Wangare
· Sharon Juma
| Kenya | |
| Coach | Lameck Ngoche |
| Captain | Emily Ruto |
| First international | |
| 5 January 2006 v Kenya A | |
Cricket Kenya is the official ICC recognised organisation chosen to represent Kenya in terms of cricket issues. Kenya broke away from theEast and Central Africa Cricket Conference in 1981 and joined the ICC in their own right as an Associate member. Cricket Kenya are also Associate members of the African Cricket Association.
Cricket Kenya is setting up ladies cricket leagues in both Nakuru and Nairobi regions in 2016. The leagues are planned to run concurrently beginning the month of July through to August. Nakuru’s league will feature six teams while the Nairobi championship will comprise of four sides. The 20-over competition will take place on Saturdays at different venues in both counties. This forms part of the drive to expand women’s domestic calendar to be able to bring into line with the men’s game that currently enjoys up to a minimum nine months of cricket in a calendar year. CK has and will continue to support the involvement of ladies cricket by way of providing such opportunities which are an integral part of developing the women’s game. CK will seek the support of commercial partners to assist ladies participation in the sport of cricket beyond its sole direct involvement by ensuring more opportunities are created for women.
Kenya women cricket team wins Kwibuka
Women cricketers showed their prowess at the 2015 Kwibuka Memorial Cricket Tournament in Kigali from June 12 to 14. The Triangular Twenty20 tournament was played by hosts Rwanda, Kenya and defending champions Uganda at the Kicukiro Oval. Kenya lifted the title after winning all their fixtures, even though few players from senior national teams played in the tournament. Coach Lameck Onyango said he only took a few national teams players, with the rest being drawn from the Under-19 team. Kenya won their opener against Rwanda by eight wickets. Rwanda’s Diane Binyemimana managed double figures with 17 runs off 42 balls, as the team reached 69 for the loss of 2 wickets in 20 overs. Kenya’s Sylvia Kinyua and Esther Wangare took two wickets each, while Edith Waithaka, Daisy Njoroge and Mary Mwangi took a wicket each. Opener Quinter Abel carried her bat through the innings. Kenya reached 73 for 2 with 10 overs, and a ball to spare to win by eight wickets. Quinter knocked 46 of 37 balls, and skipper Sylvia Kinyua contributed 11 off 13. Uganda’s top order of Saidat Kemigisha, Kalsum Rashida, and Sadick Shakira put on 19, 16, and15 runs respectively, before Kenya’s bowling and fielding restricted them to 84/9 in 20 overs. Kenya’s opener Daisy went for a duck. Quinter, Sylvia and Esther scored 11, 14, and 15 runs against Uganda’s aggressive bowling and fielding. Kenya also benefited from 14 extras, 11 off wide balls, to reach 85 runs for the loss of nine wickets with four balls to spare in their innings, for a one-wicket win. Kenya played their final match against Uganda. Daisy carried her bat with 43 run off 54 balls. Mary had a double figure contribution of 15, as Kenya reached 100 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.
Uganda were kept in check by Esther and Sylvia, who took three wickets each, for a total of 90 all out in 18.2 overs to hand Kenya a 10-run win. Onyango said cricket’s regional bodies should create exchange programmes for the teams to play more matches. There are no meaningful matches until next year when we prepare for the 2017 World Cup qualifiers,said Onyango. We need to travel down South for matches with more experienced sides like Zimbabwe and South Africa A.
Uganda women’s cricket development manager Franklyn Najjumba said even though they have vibrant youth development structures, more can be done.
