Seren Waters prepares for Australia's pace attack
Kenyan batsman Seren Waters is happy to admit he's never faced a bowling attack as fearsome as Australia's.
- Associated Press
- Updated: March 11, 2011 04:15 PM IST
Kenyan batsman Seren Waters is happy to admit he's never faced a bowling attack as fearsome as Australia's.
At the age of 20, Waters is preparing for his 19th one-day international on Sunday in Bangalore, and the opener's best score so far at his maiden World Cup is 17 against Pakistan.
While Pakistan boasts Shoaib Akhtar in its fast bowling ranks, Australia captain Ricky Ponting can call upon Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson, who can all top 150kph (93mph).
"I don't think there is another attack in the world comparable to that," Waters said Friday. "They've got three of the quickest bowlers in the world and they're coming one after the other, so there's no real respite. It's going to be an experience."
And while Australia is looking to extend a 32-match unbeaten run, Kenya is hoping to arrest a slide that has seen it lose all four of its matches so far at this World Cup, having been semifinalists as recently as 2003.
Given the difference in form between the two sides, Waters acknowledged that a good result for Kenya does not necessarily mean a win.
"The three Test nations we've played we haven't really come close to giving them a game, so we'd hope to give Australia a good game," he said.
"Winning would be something you'd probably dream about. Realistically, having seen the way we've played so far it's probably something not many people are expecting. But to give them a good game is our target."
Waters' long-term target is to return to Durham University in northeast England to complete his human geography degree.
"I've got a year and half left of my degree. I've missed a term to play in the World Cup, so I've got quite a lot to catch up on," he said. "I've got to take my exams in the middle of the summer, so it's going to be a bit of work for me to do immediately when I return."
Waters, whose unusual first name was inspired by the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, was educated in England, played for county side Surrey through the age groups, and has a British passport.
However, he says his future is with the country of his birth - even if the ICC's decision to reduce the tournament to 10 teams means Kenya's chances of playing at a World Cup again are slim for the time being.
"My loyalties very much lie with Kenya because that's where I've been brought up and lived for so many years of my life."