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“I think the
selectors did a good job in arriving at the final list even though you
are always sad that a team mate is dropped but that is the way life
is.” This was how Endurance Ofem, the new national team captain, summed
up the team’s composition of 14 players and two alternates.

Former captain Wale
Adeoye, and Chimezie Onwuzulike, were dropped and replaced with Sean
Philips, and Ramit Gil. Philips, who has also been named as the new
coach of the team said “though I was not part of the selection process,
I am happy about the composition and we will have a chance when the
tournaments begin in April.” The 16 players were chosen by the
Selector’s Board of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) after
undergoing two phases which ended in Lagos on February 16, 2011. The
squad will now prepare for the Africa Premier League (APL) T20 Division
2, taking place in South Africa from April 22-28, 2011 and the World
Cricket League (WCL) Division 7 holding in Botswana from May 1-8, 2011.

A new captain and a new name

Another new name
on the list, Femi Oduyebo, has been commended for his hard work and his
improved play. Ofem used Oduyebo’s case as an example for the players
that failed to make the team. “I will tell the players that the
national door is not closed. Femi has worked hard this year and I am
happy that he has been chosen for the national team.” Ofem also added
that he is proud to be handed the responsibility of captaining the
national side. “It is a great honour but I will be happier when we
graduate from the WCL Division 7 to Division 6, I will be prouder
then.” On the inclusion of Philips and Gil in the team, the new captain
said, “For me it is a matter of value – Philips’ inclusion is a 100%
bonus to the national team and Ramit is another option of a spin
bowler. His batting also will not let the team down.

“Right now, I think
the national team is better equipped for the challenges in South Africa
and Botswana as against when we went to Guernsey in 2009.” The team
will resume for a mini closed camp in March and are expected to spend
two weeks in South Africa for their final preparations.