VISIT CANCELLED

The Kenyan cricket team has cancelled a visit to Rochdale in a row over contracts.

The side were due to play three warm-up matches at Bamford Fieldhouse Cricket Club and meet the mayor at the town hall this week ahead of an international tournament in Holland.

But that tour has now been scrapped after the row between players and the Kenyan cricket board arose on the eve of the trip.

Kenyan cricket officials claim the players refused to travel only hours before their official departure, until management agreed to their contract demands,

The abandonment of the tour meant that three 50-over games at Bamford Fieldhouse scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday had to be cancelled.

One of the local organisers Andy Barton said: "My understanding is that the Kenyan players are on strike for more money and we had to cancel the three matches, which were due to be played against some top local professional and league players. Everyone is very disappointed about the matches being cancelled because we had some fantastic players lined up to compete against the Kenyans, but we couldn’t do anything about it."

In an official statement Cricket Kenya said: "We will not be put against a wall to deal with people like this. We regard this conduct by these ‘players’ representatives’ as outrageous and disgraceful. Cricket Kenya stands by its decision and is determined not to be held to ransom by the national team - or by its so-called ‘representatives’ – in this way."