Kenyan cricket fans during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa

The International Cricket Council feels the Kenya Cricket Association is making slower progress than had been hoped.

ICC president Ehsan Mani said: "Some deadlines have been missed and we have underlined the need for the KCA to commit to the agreed plan."

Some �540,000 has been pledged by the ICC to help Kenya develop its infrastructure to make the grade.

The ICC and the KCA have been discussing a way forward at a summit in Nairobi.

Mani said: "After Kenya's strong showing in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, the ICC and the KCA mapped out a series of milestones that need to be passed before any consideration could be given to an application for Test status.

"Over the past two days we have been able to see first hand how the KCA is progressing in achieving these objectives.

"While things are moving forward, the pace of progress is too slow. Some deadlines have been missed and we have underlined the need for the KCA to commit to and deliver against the agreed plan."

The ICC/KCA plan identified areas such as:

• The employment of a full-time general manager
• The reform of the corporate governance of the KCA including a new constitution and fresh elections
• The strengthening of domestic and age group cricket
• Strong on-field performances at junior and senior levels
• The development of a sustainable financial base
• The development of a strategic plan with supporting operational plans and budgets

The ICC will now try to develop a regular international cricketing program for the Kenyan team to give them more three and four-day cricket.