Lady Cricket Cranes coaches Frank Nsubuga and Jackson Ogwang will be looking to make quick postmortems for future reference after Uganda failed in their attempt to qualify for the 2016 ICC Women’s World T20 Trophy in India.
Looking to finish among the top two countries at the ongoing continental showpiece in Benoni - South Africa, Uganda could only garner two victories and three loses enroute to a fourth-place finish before today’s closing round of playoff finals.
Uganda started off the decisive round impressively with a five-wicket win Kenya in the East African derby but collapsed against the mighty South Africa.
Christine Aryemo was the star hitting a quick-fire 22 off 21 as Uganda chased down Kenya set score of 56 for 7 in 16.2 overs. Justine Musubika and Frankline Najjumba were the architects of the collapse with two wickets apiece.
But South Africa set 100 and the total proved a little too much as the Ugandans got themselves in a rut before managing 64all out in 18.4 overs. Today, the ladies will be looking to end on a high in the third place playoff against Tanzania.
Back home, a star-studded Takashinga XI from Zimbabwe start their five-match series Tour to Uganda without explosive opening batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri.
“We got confirmation from their coach Steve that Matsikenyeri got injured during the weekend and is out of the tour but the rest is as planned. The tour should be a big success,” confirmed UCA Development Officer Henry Okecho.
Lanky Richard Okia will captain the Uganda ‘A’ side against the touring Zimbabweans in a 50-over duel at Lugogo Oval this morning. Elsewhere, UCA is leaving nothing to chance despite the ICC U-19 World Cup qualifiers being two months away.
UCA has entered the national U-19 team into an East Africa U-19 Tri-Series tournament that bowls off today in Nairobi. Seven players yesterday joined five others already in Nairobi for an ICC sanctioned training programme for the tournament that includes Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya will field two teams for the tourney that ends December 22.
Uganda U-19 Boys Squad to Kenya
D. Bakunzi (captain), S. Nsubuga, Z. Arinaitwe, K. Waiswa, J. Gabula, F. Akankwasa, C. Okwalinga, A. Ssenkubuge, D. Wabwire, R. Agamire, S. Oyaga, T. Bukenya, R. Olipa, A. Lubega, S.Wabwose Manager/Coach: H. Okecho Assistant coach: E. Isaneez