Cricket Kenya is closing in on its hunt to find a replacement for Roger Harper, who stood down as coach after the ICC World Twenty20 in September.

More than 30 applications from around the world were received for the vacancy and Cricinfo understands that a South African-based applicant, believed to be Andy Kirsten, is among the front runners. He was in the frame the last time the position was open in 2005 but was committed to existing work in South Africa and eventually the board chose Harper.

Kirsten worked with the Kenyan side during their successful 2003 World Cup campaign when Sandeep Patil was the national coach. As a result, he is known to many of the senior players and is believed to have a good relationship with them.

Once Kenya's two Intercontinental Cup matches in the UAE are out of the way by early February, the side is not in action again until May. Ideally, the board would like to have someone appointed by the end of March to give them a chance to bed in.

It is understood that a five-man shortlist has been drawn up and that interviews will take place in the coming weeks.