Kenya are ready to step into the test arena after producing their second giantkilling feat in the World Cup, says coach Sandeep Patil.
Kenya, who upset the West Indies in the 1996 event, stunned Sri Lanka by 53 runs in Nairobi to throw open the race for the Super Sixes.
Patil, a former Indian test batsman who has coached Kenya for five years, said the victory indicated his team were maturing and would soon join the big league as the 11th test-playing nation.
"If Bangladesh can play test cricket, there is no reason we can't.
"I think we are as good as them, if not better. Our time will come."
Bangladesh, granted test status in 2000, have lost 16 of their 17 tests, 11 by an innings.
Lefebvre's pick
Netherlands captain Roland Lefebvre has predicted that England, India and Pakistan will not win the World Cup.
"I don't think they have got what it takes. All three of them lack a bit of confidence," he said.
Instead, Lefebvre reckons reigning champions Australia, hosts South Africa and New Zealand are way ahead of the rest of the pack to reach the March 23 final at Johannesburg.
He said he was proud of the way his team played in the tournament despite the defeats.
"The team was competitive and was not rolled over."
Kallis fully fit
South Africa allrounder Jacques Kallis dismissed suggestions that he might not be fully fit for tonight's pool B game against Canada.
Kallis was struck on the left toe in the nets a week before the start of the tournament and his below-par performances, particularly with the ball, have prompted speculation that he might still be suffering from the injury.
But "I'm 100 per cent, no problems", he said.
Flower off to SA
Forthright Zimbabwean batsman Andy Flower has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the South Australian Cricket Association.
London's Daily Telegraph yesterday claimed that Flower had signed a three-year contract but would continue his tenure with Essex during the next English summer.
Flower, 34, was approached by SACA before the 2002/03 season but international commitments prevented him from taking up the offer.
The strong stance taken by Flower and Henry Olonga in opposition to the regime of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has been a major talking point of the cup thus far, with the pair releasing a joint statement of protest at the outset of the tournament.
World Cup schedule
Points table
<i>Quick singles:</i> Kenya 'ready for tests'
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