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By Thrasy Petropoulos
BBC Sport in Port Elizabeth
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Obuya is Kenya's bright hope for the future
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Collins Obuya could turn his back on Kenyan cricket because of the financial crisis threatening his country's elevation to Test status.
The 21-year-old leg-spinner, who took five wickets in their shock World Cup victory against Sri Lanka, has said that hopes to become a doctor in order to earn a higher salary.
With the Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) having recently been investigated for mismanagement and alleged misappropriation of funds, the players considered striking over pay before the tournament.
"I am not earning very much from cricket and have been thinking about getting another job," Collins said.
"I am awaiting my 'O' level results at the moment. Maybe another job could pay for another college.
"I could do something better. Earn more money. My dream is to become a doctor.
"How can you compete when you are earning such a small amount?"
We do not have a team sponsor...most of us buy our own equipment
Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo
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Collins, who earns US$700 (about £440) a month from the KCA and is seen as the brightest cricketing prospect in his country, has been held up as a reason why Kenya would be worthy of Test status within three years.
He added: "I am not paid enough to live on my own. Even my brother, Kennedy (who is 30) needs to supplement his income by owning an internet café."
Steve Tikolo, the Kenya captain, was at the centre of the negotiations with the KCA that saw the players finally agree to a flat fee of US$3,000 for the tournament, having originally been asked to play for free.
"We are playing in the World Cup and we are in the Super Sixes but we do not have a team sponsor," Tikolo said.
"That is a worrying factor. With the exception of Alpesh Vadher and Asif Karim we are all full-time professionals, contracted to the board, but most of us buy our own equipment.
"For the last five years we have had a local sponsor that enables the authorities to pay us.
"But it is only enough to carry you through to the end of the month and as a sportsman your career is limited.
"Our usual salary is US$1,000 (about £625) a month.
"I know a lot of guys who played cricket at a younger age and then go abroad to study because they will not earn enough money playing cricket.
"We are losing talent."
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