It is not everyday when a Kenyan player’s name is taken in the same breath as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Aravinda de Silva, Carl Hooper, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis or Ricky Ponting. Stephen Ogonji Tikolo shares a rare record with the illustrious list of players above, that of playing in five World Cups.
It is not everyday when a Kenyan player’s name is taken in the same breath as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Aravinda de Silva, Carl Hooper, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis or Ricky Ponting.
Stephen Ogonji Tikolo shares a rare record with the illustrious list of players above, that of playing in five World Cups.
And though Sachin Tendulkar is taking part in the quadrennial event for the sixth time, Tikolo cherishes the fact that he has come so close to match the Little Master’s record. “It took a lot of hard work and dedication to reach this milestone,” the former captain told DNA.
Coming from Kenya’s most famous cricketing families, Stephen’s elder brother Tom has also been a former national captain and other brother David played with him in the 1996 edition.
The veteran of 133 ODIs admitted it is the World Cup that has earned him fame. And fittingly, it was under his captaincy that Kenya reached the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup. But it hasn’t been a smooth sailing for him and his teammates since.
“We aren’t paid enough to make a living out of it. As an Associate country, we don’t get enough funding from the ICC,” said Tikolo, the only player from a non-Test playing country to have played more than 100 ODIs.
It was Tikolo’s rapidly increasing reputation that actually led to calls for his country to be granted a Test status. But the infighting in their cricket board led to him quitting the captaincy.
The strike had very little effect on him as he showed renewed appetite and ability to perform at the top level again.
Fittingly, Tikolo helped Kenya qualify for the 2011 World Cup only to walk out of the team later. But the lure of World Cup was too difficult for him to avoid it as he made himself available for making a record fifth appearance.
The World Cups has given Tikolo plenty of fond memories. But with ICC deciding to cut down on the number of teams for the 2015 event, Tikolo is sad. “If you want to globalise the game, then you can’t go reducing countries in such tournaments,” Tikolo pointed.
Tikolo, though, is now sure that he will retire from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup and he is eyeing coaching assignments in Zimbabwe to make a living. “This will be my last event for Kenya,” concluded Tikolo.
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