Odoyo named as second Kenyan to head to Zimbabwe

Allrounder Thomas Odoyo has been confirmed as the second Kenyan joining new Zimbabwean franchise Southern Rocks.

Former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo is arriving in Harare on Tuesday afternoon after signing as player-coach for the Rocks.

Odoyo, a veteran of 117 ODIs, will arrive early October with the rest of the Kenyan team for an Intercontinental Cup tie and five ODIs. He will then remain in the country to play for the Rocks.

The arrival of the two experienced Kenyans will almost certainly boost a Rocks side that had an indifferent start to the restructured Zimbabwe domestic season. They lost to Manicaland Mountaineers in Mutare by eight wickets in the Logan Cup and by five wickets in the Faithwear one-day series.

The news will be a blow to the game inside Kenya where the NPCA league has for a long time not been considered tough enough to bring on young players. The decision of two of the country's best cricketers to play abroad will only further weaken it.