Maurice Odumbe is one of Kenya's genuinely international-class players, an allrounder who can hold his own in the side as either an aggressive middle-order batsman or naggingly accurate offspinner. Ever since he made his debut for Kenya in 1990 he has been an automatic choice - he won the Man of the Match award in their sensational victory over West Indies during the 1996 World Cup for his 3 for 14 in his first senior tournament. He captained Kenya for a time, leading them in the 1999 World Cup, but was not at his best, although he won another Man of the Match award for his 82 against Sri Lanka. In 2003 he was instrumental in Kenya reaching the World Cup semi-finals, averaging 42 with the bat and taking nine wickets. When Kenya took part in the Caribbean's Carib Beer Series in 2003-04 he again excelled with bat and ball, hammering a career-best 207 against the Leeward Islands. But in March 2004 he was investigated by the ICC for alleged links with bookmakers and possible match-fixing. In August of the same year, he was found guilty of receiving money from bookmakers on several occasions and, at the age of 35, the ban almost certainly represents the end of a fine career for Odumbe.
Martin Williamson September 2004

• Bad boys (Jan 31, 2008)
  
• Odumbe ban could be lifted (Nov 2, 2007)
  
• Warne again, and Kenya come good (Feb 26, 2007)
  
• Odumbe fails in bid to have ban lifted (May 27, 2006)
  
• Over-performing underdog (Nov 3, 2005)
  

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Feb 27, 2007 Maurice Odumbe and a team-mate celebrate © Getty Images

Aug 26, 2004 Maurice Odumbe stands behind his lawyer © Getty Images

Jun 18, 2004 Maurice Odumbe and his lawyer in court © AFP

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