The Nigeria Cricket Federation has announced Opening Batsman and Wicket-Keeper, Joshua Ayannaike, as the new captain of the national team.
Ayannaike’s ‘installation’ is coming as preparation intensifies in Lagos ahead of the Africa Cricket Association’s T20 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya from March 20 to 28.
Ayannaike, 26, replaced Ademola Onikoyi in a move that the NCF believes would strengthen the senior national cricket team and lay a foundation for a stronger and dynamic team.
Adam Ukwenya, president of the NCF in a press statement explained that the board reviewed the performance of the team after their T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Dubai in November 2019 and resolved to inject new players into the national team. The players will come especially from the national Under-19 team that recently participated at Nigeria’s maiden Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa.
“The new team will have some experienced players from the former crop of senior team members and a bunch of Under-19 players of which some will be making their senior team debut. We expect a fine blend as we continue preparation for the Kenya championship,” Ukwenya said.
Meanwhile, the new captain Ayannaike is relishing his new challenge and says he would be equal to the task.
