NAIROBI, Dec 31 AFP - Former Kenya cricket captain Asif Karim has been recalled from retirement to join the 15-man Kenyan squad for the 2003 World Cup.

Spinner Karim, 38, is one of two big surprises in the team named here on Tuesday by Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) vice chairman and selector Harilal Shah.

Karim and 28-year-old batsman Alpesh Vadher have not played for Kenya for over two years, as both players had retired after the 1999 World Cup in England.

The two are expected to bolster the Kenyan team, which showed a serious lack of an all-round talent during their recent tour of Zimbabwe, where they lost all their one-day international matches.

Strike bowler Jimmy Kamande, whose bowling action came under scrutiny in England in 1999, has been left out of the team, which includes three Obuya brothers.

Kenya squad

Steve Tikolo (captain), Maurice Odumbe, Asif Karim, Alpesh Vadher, Ravindu Shah, Hitesh Modi, Brijal Patel, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Obuya, Joseph Angara, Peter Ongondo, David Obuya and Collins Obuya.

© 2002 AAP NewsWire

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.