ADEGBOLA, KUNLE PHILLIPS
CAPTAIN AND COMMANDER
OF THE TROOPS
The tall, slim, sleek and talented Cricketer has shown class both as an all-rounder and also as a Captain.
Slowly emerging as Nigeria’s most successful Captain, Kunle ted Nigeria to victory at the ICC WCL Division 7 in Botswana in April 2013, and also to gain promotion to Division 5 all the ICGWCL Division 6 in Jersey July 2013.
An old boy of Ijemo-Titun High School, Abeokuta in Ogun State, he rose to stardom as a school boy prodigy playing in the Howzat Super League for the Asiodu. Trophy.
He is also a product of the Howzat Clinic.
A prodigious swinger of the ball, he played for Nigeria and West-Africa in the ICC – African under 19 Championship in Kampala, Uganda in 2001. He made his debut in 2002 in the Quadrangular against Gambia claiming 4 for 19. Since then he has been a permanent fixture in the National team.
Kunle re-discovered his bowling form in Jersey to add to his considerable skills as a batsman.
Corning in at No. 6, Kunle paces his innings welt, picking up singles and playing into gaps, A very busy player who scores at a run a ball, he times the bait sweetly when playing his off and on-drives.
OLUSEYE OLYMPIO
HIGHEST WICKET-TAKER (18) AND
SUPERB BOWLING PERFORMANCE
The story of Olympio’s rise to prominence is like a Cinderella story. His success story not only amazed pundits but confounded critics. Coming into the tournament with a lot of question marks on his ability and temperament, Olympico left Jersey with his head held high and loads of respect from teammates, administrators and opponents.
Olympio bowled with heart and skills as he was a model of consistency. He worked hard and kept on probing outside the off-stump.
His out-swingers were lethal and he constantly found outside edges. He was supremely lit as he always bowled his 10 overs on a trot beginning from Cheltenham to Jersey.
He more than adequately filled in the void left by Joshua Ogunlola as he manly rose to the occasion. His eighteen wickets attests to the fact that the boy has become a man.
SEGUN OLAYINKA
DESTROYER-IN-CHIEF
Segun’s huge six over square leg to bring up his fifty and win the match against Bahrain in our must-win game sums up his batting in Jersey – very direct and very brutal.
Against Argentina, Olayinka continued his onslaught with an unbeaten 90 runs. His trademark on-driven sixes delighted mates and fans alike with cries of ‘meeoow’.
Olayinka showed his brutal strength and strategy by hitting for sixes the first two balls he received in the first match against Vanuatu. Segun curbed his attacking instincts, adjusted his game picked his shots and reaped bountiful rewards.
Segun’s patient innings against Bahrain and their spinners showed a technically proficient batsman with a good cricket brain.
YASPHAL ‘RICKY’ SHARMA
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR
Ricky was an epitome of dedication, focus, single-minded determination and professionalism. His work ethic, attitude and approach to practice and games were exemplary. All these paid off as Ricky became the steady bulwark of our batting and the glue that held our innings together.
Yasphal was at his best against Kuwait when he halted a slide together with Dotun Olatunji to post a precious 44 runs. Nigeria at 3 for 10 in 3 overs was in all kinds of trouble. Again versus Jersey, Ricky stood tall with his 53 runs amidst the runs of Nigeria batting innings.
He alone stood up to the rampaging Jersey spinners and seamers. Ricky values his wicket dearly and employed the sweep shot so effectively that it fetched him lots of runs. He studied and analyzed his game, practiced hard at the Net sessions, worked on his fitness and played to his strengths.
His keeping was steady and very effective. Ricky will always be remembered by his elaborate ‘rituals’ at the crease and he was also at the crease when Nigeria defeated Argentina to qualify.
Ricky’s success is a tribute to hard work.
EMMANUEL OKWUDILI
BRIEF FLASHES OF BRILLANCE
There is no better sight in cricket at least in Nigeria than an Emmanuel Okwudili off-drive. It reminds one of the legendary Geoff Boycott of Yorkshire and England.
Pundits agree that Okwudili is technically gifted and has the game to flourish at a high level. Sadly in Jersey we did not see Okwudili at full bloom but saw signs of a great batsman in the waiting.
He began well against Vanuatu but could not build on the good foundation and was disappointing against Kuwait and Jersey. He did not bat against Bahrain and Argentina.
Okwudili complemented with his brilliant catching in gully. His diving catch to his right was a fantastic one-handed catch to dismiss Andy Dewhurst of Jersey off Akolade was breathtaking and spectacular.
In Chelltenham during the training tour, he showed his brilliance in the chase against Wilshere Queries, Heredforshire and Potterne. No doubt, Okwudili is set to put things right and shine.
The time for the flower to flourish has come.
ADEMOLA ONIKOYI
GREATNESS WAITING IN THE WINGS
An Onikoyi in full flow is a joyous sight to behold. Supremely gifted and immensely talented, his sublime skills are seen when he is on the attack. A savage puller and driver of the ball and an eager cutter. Yet with all these skills, there are still questions on his temperament, attitude and hunger.
Onikoyi had a disappointing tour with only a buccaneering cameo against Argentina (35 runs) his only moment of note and mention. The nadir was his first ball dusk against Jersey and he was subsequently dropped against Bahrain.
A fast scorer and an exceptional fielder either close to the wicket or out in the field, his bat failed him but his hands and eyes were excellent. He took brilliant catches and maintained a high standard of fielding. Against Wilshire Queries and Free Foresters he was awesome and most times looked unstoppable.
He dispatched the bowling to all corners of the ground with glee and almost disdain. When in form, he is almost impossible to bowl at. His international record is shockingly very poor for someone who is highly rated and regarded.
Heads shake in wonder at his soft dismissals when he is capable of buckling down and crafting a century. Despite all this, me thinks his time to blossom and flourish has finally come. Onikoyi is going to announce his presence in the international scene with big scores.
I am a firm believer in his skills and style of play but he has to deliver quickly and more consistently. Why? Because time is running out.
OSITA ONWUZULIKE
A SILENT WORKER
It is difficult to ply your trade as a spinner in a country that is obsessed with fast and medium-pace bowling. Moreso, to operate as alone spinner amongst seamers is a challenging as you are always expected to perform. In all these, Osita has performed consistentiy and has emerged as Nigeria’s premier slow bowler.
He bowled his overs in Jersey tidyly with minimal fuss with his silent demeanour and work-ethic enthusiasm. He is a Captain’s delight – containing batsmen, speeding up the overs rate and keeping the runs down. Additionally his dot halls create added pressure.
His fantastic bowling spell against Argentina which was rained-off was Osita at his best. Bowling his full compliment of overs, he strangulated the Argentines and picked up 3 wickets in the process.
A useful late-order batsman and good fielder in the deep, Osita brings value to the side.
ENDURANCE OFEM
STEADY AND CALM AT THE TOP
Ofem came to do a rescue and repair job and he did it very well.
Nigeria was experiencing a mini-crisis at the top of the order and Ofem stepped up despite injury to do a steadying job.
He was a mixture of calmness and coolness with a grim determination to see off the new ball and keep his wicket. Playing through pain, he confronted the Bahrain spinners with circumspect play and good technique.
Highly experienced, Ofem is one of the greatest thinkers of the game in Nigeria with his tactical brilliance and match awareness. A former Captain of the side, he bats at the top of the order and brings variety with his useful off-spin.
He has a good cricketing brain and considerable coaching skills. Against Argentina, he responded by claiming the last Argentine wicket.
One of the oldest members of the team, with several international centuries, he needs to work on his fitness and find some decent form to maintain his high standards.
ADELEKE MUTIU OYEDE
A MAN OF VALUE
Leke is a busy cricketer batting, bowling or fielding. He is the go-to man or our man-Friday who is always up and about.
Leke rarely disappoints either with the bat or ball and he brings width and deeper dimension to the side. This useful-all-rounder gives’ the team options as he bowls in the middle of the Innings and bats middle to late order.
An uncompromising cricketer, he played through our mini-batting collapse against Brockhampton CC and saw us across the finishing line.
Also he was there at the end with Emmanuel Okwudili when Nigeria chased down 284 runs against Wilshere Queries.
Against Vanuatu he played a useful knock of 20-odd runs and bowled tidily at the death including the last over. Leke’s recall to the National Team is a big plus for our cricket and a positive from the Technical Director.
Adeleke Oyede is an all-rounder in the truest sense of the word.
DOTUN OLATUNJI
BATTING POWER HOUSE
Dotun had an awesome reputation coming into the tournament in Jersey. His back-to-back centuries at the ICC WCL in Bostswana was the high-point of the tournament.
A ferocious hitter of the ball, Olatunji in full flow is an absolute plunderer of bowling. He had an average training tour to Cheltenham but came alive in the match against Kuwait.
He played with maturity and patience for his knock of 66 runs. In between, he played great shots as he laid the foundation for our big score. Against Jersey, he was dismissed by a breathtaking catch. Dotun delighted all with his outstanding slip and close catches.
His catching was of the finest quality as he constantly snarled opponents. Against Vanuatu, he bowled a key over to stem the run-rate.
His bowling should be practiced and polished as he might be required to bowl in crucial innings.
Malaysia will see fireworks from Dotun’s bat.
JIDE BEJIDE
IT IS TIME FOR THE “QUIET” LION TO ROAR
Bejide was born to play cricket. He was a school boy bowling sensaton who made his debut at the 2005 Quadtriangular in Sierra-Leone.
He took 5 crickets against Gambia. Presently, Jide is a permanent fixture in the Nigeria middle-order. Bejide has the shots, the strength and power, build, the poise and the world is waiting for the volcano to erupt.
He plays sixes effortlessly and should be scoring centuries regularly. He has become more experienced and has the ability to guide the tail and post big scores. Against Free Foresters and Potterne in Cheltenham he ran into batting form but was disappointing in Jersey.
His strong ground fielding was solid with his enthusiasm and his throwing fast and accurate, Bejide can and should be scoring big runs more consistently.
Bejide owes his talent and ‘Country at least one International century.
Come on buddy, Malaysia is your territory, let the lion roar.
MATHIAS MARIAN DEVADAYAL
YET TO EARN HIS FIRST CAP
Mathias was picked for the tour on the basis of his performances as a prolific wicket-taker for the Lagos Asian Cricket Club during the Lagos CCC league for the 2012/2013 season and on current form.
He tweaked his off-spin to good effect and attracted the attention of the selectors who were keen on playing a spinner at the Jersey pitches. Mathias started well during the England training tour taking 4 for 35 against Brockhampton.
Consequently, he lost form and confidence in the matches against Potterne and Free Foresters. In Jersey, he couldn’t get a look in and was billed to play in the final when qualification has been assured.
In all, he maintained calm and dignity despite his disappointment of not having had a game.
SHOLA ANYA
STILL ON A LEARNING CURVE
Young Sola Anya suddenly found himself being thrust into the limelight of
playing for Nigeria at the world league. It was twist of fortune that he was asked to replace the immaculate Joshua Ogunlola. Sola was wayward in the pre-tournament matches bowling couple of no-balls and wides. In-between he bowled some great deliveries but generally could not maintain a consistent line and length.
He played against Heredfordshire, Potterne and Free Foresters. This left-arm seamer has a skills and is a candidate for the future. The pressure got to him and he could not handle the nerves and occasion.
Having said all, Sola is a good bowler who will improve with time.
Fortunately his time in England will assist his cricket.
JOSHUA OGUNLOLA
A GREAT PERFORMER AND ONE OF THE BEST EVER
Joshua Ogunlola would rightly be ranked as one of, if not the best Nigerian
bowlers in international competitions. This tall, lanky and Fast Medium Pace bowler is a model of consistency in line and length.
He bowls a tidy line and is very very economical with the ball. One can hardly get a loose ball against Ogunlola.
His nagging off-stump line, his steep bounce and unerring accuracy makes him a difficult customer to face.
Debuting in the U-19 Africa World Cup qualifier in Namibia 2003, Ogunlola made his senior debut at the 2004 World League African qualifier in Zambia. He was at his miserly and imperious best against Tanzania when he returned figures of 7 for 19. Since then he has spearheaded our bowling attack.
He missed the Jersey tournament due to visa issues and one is left to wonder what might have been if Ogunlola had played.
Joshua for me, will be in my all-time Nigeria XI.
