00:00In this video, witness the brilliance of Steve Ticolo, the shining star of Kenyan cricket,
00:05who crafted a superb 65 runs of 83 balls against India in the sixth match of the Wills World
00:11Cup at Cuttuck on February 18, 1996.
00:15For a team from a newly emerging cricketing nation, Ticolo's innings was nothing short
00:20of remarkable. Displaying a rock-solid technique, he stood tall against one of the most formidable
00:26bowling attacks of that era. His calm temperament and fluent stroke play proved that class in
00:32batting knows no boundaries. One of the finest moments came when Steve Ticolo launched the
00:37magnificent six of Venkatpati Raju, a stroke that left the crowd in baffle. He followed it up with
00:43an elegant boundaries of Chavagal, Srinath and Anil Kumble, each short a reminder of his natural
00:49flair and timing. This was not just an innings of runs, but a statement. Steve Ticolo announcing
00:55himself on the world stage, showing that Kenyan was here to compete with the best.
01:00Steve Ticolo, born on 25 June 1971 in Nairobi, is widely regarded as the greatest cricketer
01:07Kenyan has ever produced. He came into the game at a time when Kenyan cricket was still in its early
01:12stages, but his natural talent and calm temperament quickly made him stand out. From the very beginning
01:19of his career, Steve Ticolo carried the hopes of a nation that was new to international cricket,
01:24and he became the face of the Kenyan team for over a decade. Ticolo made his ODA debut during the 1996
01:31World Cup, when Kenyan appeared on the global stage for the first time. In his very first match against
01:36India at Qatar, he scored a stylish 65 runs, showcasing the cricketing world that Kenyan had
01:42a batsman of real class. His elegant stroke play combined with solid technique allowed him to score
01:47runs against some of the best ballers of that era. Over the years, Ticolo became the backbone of Kenyan
01:53batting, scoring more than 3,000 runs in ODAs, including three centuries and 2450s. While his
02:00batting was his main strength, Steve Ticolo was also a handy-off spin-baller. He claimed 94 wickets,
02:06often breaking partnership with his clever variation. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball
02:12made him one of the most valuable all-rounders in associate cricket. He was also an outstanding
02:17fielder known for his sharp reflexes and safe hands. The highlight of his career came during the 2003
02:24World Cup, where he captained Kenya to the semi-final, a historic achievement that stunned the
02:29cricketing world. After representing Kenya in the five World Cups 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, Ticolo
02:38retired as the country's most successful cricketer. He later moved into coaching, guiding teams like
02:44Uganda and mentoring the next generations of African cricketers. Today, Steve Ticolo is remembered
02:49not just as a fine bestman, but as a pioneer who proved that a small cricketing nation could
02:55challenge the giants of the game. His legacy lives on in the history of World Cup and in the dreams of
03:00young cricketers across Africa.
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