Potchefstroom: Kenya’s under-exposed cricketers are unlikely to extend a fired-up South Africa at the North West Stadium Wednesday.

Kenyan manager Mehmood Quraishy admitted it shaped up as an unequal contest. “We are handicapped because we do not get enough international cricket,” he said.

Quraishy pointed out that Kenya had defeated two South African provincial teams, Border and Eastern Province, in warm-up matches last week.

South Africa’s defeat Sunday means the plan to rotate players in their squad will be modified.

All four men who did not play against the West Indies were initially expected to play against Kenya, but skipper Shaun Pollock said after the West Indies match that the first priority was to get points on the board.

Some adjustment to the South African side is still likely, however, as even a below-strength team should be able to beat Kenya, even though the minnows have a core of experienced players.

Skipper Steve Tikolo, a high-quality batsman, and all rounder Thomas Odoyo have played in all 51 of their country’s matches. Maurice Odumbe has missed only one match, while Kennedy Otieno and Martin Suji have played 49 times.

Jonty Rhodes had an X-Ray on Monday after aggravating an old injury to his right index finger while fielding against the West Indies. But no serious damage was revealed and he was able to bat in a voluntary practice in the afternoon.

TEAMS

South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall, Robin Peterson, Charl Langeveldt, Monde Zondeki.

Kenya: Steve Tikolo (captain), Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Brijal Patel, Hitesh Modi, Maurice Odumbe, Thomas Odoyo, David Obuya, Collins Obuja, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Peter Ongondo, Aasif Karim, Joseph Angara, Alpesh Vadhar.

Umpires: Tyronne Wijewardene (Sri) and Kevan Barbour (Zim). Third Umpire: Neil Mallender (Eng)

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Overall — Played 7: South Africa won 7, Kenya 0. Matches in South Africa — Played 3: South Africa won 3, Kenya 0. In World Cup — Played 1, May 26, 1999 in Amstelveen: Kenya 152 in 44.3 overs (Ravindu Shah 50, Lance Klusener 5/21). South Africa 153/3 in 41 overs (Heschelle Gibbs 38, Jaques Kallis 44 not out, Daryll Cullinan 35 not out). South Africa won by 7 wickets. MoM: Lance Klusener. HIGHEST TOTALS South Africa 354/3 in 50 overs (Cape Town, October 22, 2001) Kenya 229/7 in 50 overs (Kimber¬ley, October 14, 2001). LOWEST TOTALS South Africa 220/7 in 50 overs (Benoni, October 7, 2001). Note: South Africa have never been all out vs Kenya l Kenya 103 in 25.1 overs (Nairobi, Oc¬tober 3, 1996).

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES South Africa: 131 n.o. Neil McKenzie (Cape Town, October 22, 2001). Note: Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs are the other two centurymakers against Kenya Kenya: 69 Steve Tikolo (Colombo/RPS, September 20, 2002). Note: Steve Tikolo also has the next two top scores against South Africa which are 68* and 67. BEST BOWLING South Africa: 6/23 Allan Donald (Nairobi, October 3, 1996) Kenya: 2/24 Tony Suji (Nairobi, Septmber 30, 1999); 2/24 Thomas Odoyo (Benoni, October 7, 2001). RECORD AT NORTH WEST STADIUM (POTCHEFSTROOM) The teams are meeting for the first time on this ground. Compiled by Ravi Kant Srivastava