Kenya have struggled since qualifying for the World Cup in 2009

Once the associate nation most likely to cause a shock result, the stock of Kenyan cricket has fallen dramatically in recent times.

Stalwarts Steve Tikolo, Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo remain, but Kenya travel to the subcontinent with nine players participating in their first World Cup.

In addition to the inexperience, Kenya arrive on the back of a dismal run of form and with a recently appointed captain. The shocks that were once expected, now seem unlikely.

Kenya have contested every tournament since 1996, not progressing past the first round apart from 2003, when they remarkably made the semi-finals. After benefitting from New Zealand's decision not to play in Kenya because of security concerns, they pulled off a shock win over Sri Lanka to finish second in Pool B, knocking out South Africa and West Indies in the process. The quirks of the Super Six system meant the Kenyans only needed one win to progress to the semis, which duly came with success over Zimbabwe, before the fairytale was ended by India.

All-rounder Jimmy Kamande was named captain in October and given the task of reversing Kenya's dismal fortunes. Originally a pace bowler, the 32-year-old remodelled himself as an off-spinner when questions were raised about his action. Better with the ball than the bat, his main job will be to galvanise a team that is low on confidence.

Even at the age of 39, the wicket of Steve Tikolo is still most prized in the Kenyan line-up. He may now be past his best, but his experience - Tikolo has played in every one of Kenya's 23 World Cup matches - will be invaluable. An average of nearly 35 in 129 one-day internationals is more than respectable, while his flat off-spinners will provide a useful mid-innings option.

A record of six wins in their last 34 completed one-day internationals, almost all of which were played against other associate members, suggests that the World Cup will only be a struggle. On a recent tour of India, the batsmen managed to adapt but the bowling was largely ineffective, and the Kenyans lost all five games they played against domestic state sides.

Kenya squad: Jimmy Kamande (capt), Tamnay Mishra, James Ngoche, Shem Ngoche, Alex Obanda, David Obuya (wk), Collins Obuya, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Maurice Ouma (wk), Rakep Patel, Steve Tikolo, Seren Waters.

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