 Kenyan cricket has had some difficult times since the World Cup |
The Kenyan Cricket Association has admitted it does owe cash to the rebel players who are currently on strike. Team manager Ramesh Bhalla said: "We're holding just $40,000 (�22,000) simply because we want the players to pay their taxes to the government first."
The rebels are demanding full payment of prize money from the 2003 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy before agreeing to a new deal.
A second-string squad will play Scotland in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The players for that match, an ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-final, were selected under a special two-month contract.
Bhalla said: "If the players, who were also receiving a salary of $1,000 each month under the old contract, don't pay their taxes the government will hold us responsible.
"Under the circumstances we have no option but to withhold their money, which anyway is pretty small.
"All these players are over the hill and most of them anyway wouldn't have made it to the team.
"The present team boasts young players whose average age is between 17 and 19.
"With this new team we have done well in this tournament and also we have beaten Namibia 2-1 in a three-game one-day series.
"If we win this tournament, which we are confident of doing, cricket will get a boost in the country.
"And you never know - it may prove to be a catalyst in our bid to achieve Test status in future. Who knows?"
MMIX
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