Cricket Cranes deliver knockout blow to win Easter Series 3-0
Deus Muhumuza wrapped up the stiff chase of 186 with an upper cut shot for six over the third-man region as Uganda delivered a knockout out blow to defeat Kenya by six wickets and go 3-0 in the Easter Series at Lugogo Cricket Oval yesterday.
There is still a game to be played by the friendly foes at Lugogo today but it will be a dead rubber with Kenya only seeking to salvage their dented pride with a consolation win.
Bowling all-rounder Muhumuza (23 off 19 balls) may have hit the winning runs but if it had been a boxing match he could as well have been an undercard fighter on the day.
The two main antagonists that took the fight to the Kenyan bowling and successfully wrestled the match from them were stylish stroke-maker Roger Mukasa and left-hander Shahzad Kamal.
Mukasa opened up early cuts (read chinks) in the Kenyan bowling arsenal with a boundary-filled 30-ball 43 and was unlucky not to reach the half-century landmark after one delivery from Kenya skipper Shem Obado Ngoche (1/46 in 5) kept low and disturbed his furniture.
But by the time Mukasa walked back to the dugout, the scoreboard was reading 74 for 3 in 9.1 overs and he had set a very good platform for his teammates to smoother along without the pressure of a steep run-rate.
Kamal, who ended unbeaten on a matching winning 75 off 55 balls, dug deep with skipper Davis Karashani (19 off 25) running hard between the wickets and picking the odd boundary in sensible fashion to avoid a twist in the tail.
And even when Karashani’s powerful cut short was caught at point by World Cup hero Collins Obuya, it was a little too late for the Kenyans as Uganda needed 58 runs to win from 62 balls – but more importantly with at least a handful of power hitters yet to bat.
“Once again the guys have showed that they can execute what they do in practice,” said Cricket Cranes coach Steve Tikolo, who is coincidentally a Kenyan legend.
“We have been practicing situations like this. But to go 3-up in the series also shows that there is maturity in the side and the team is hungry to deliver and make the combinations work.”
Kenya assistant coach Peter Ongondo was full of praise for Uganda. “Before, Uganda used to play boundary cricket. But now their batsmen are willing to bat for long spells. We have also been awed by their togetherness and teamwork. We came here to teach the Ugandans but we are also learning something,” said the former Kenya opening bowler.
Earlier before the heavens opened, Kenya was coasting along nicely on 165/4 in 36.5 overs with Irfan Karim (65* off 116), Dhiren Gondaria (50 off 42) and Obuya (37 off 48) contributing handsomely.
The rain interruption, though, could not allow them to proceed with their innings and had the match umpires ask Uganda to chase 186 in 27 overs after Duckworth and Lewis Method (D/L Method) calculations – a test they duly passed with flying colours.
By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
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Uganda seeks finer details, Kenya begins soul searching
Team Uganda coach Steve Tikolo already stated he would love his side to clinch the Easter Cricket Series against visiting side Kenya.
With three games done, Uganda leads their eastern neighbours 2-0 following Easter Monday’s gritty 27-run victory at Lugogo Oval.
“We showed a lot of character where Kenya really top of us,” Uganda’s captain Davis Karashani told this paper in an interview after they defended their 199 score.
Tikolo and his players know the job is not done yet in the Series as the Cricket Cranes prepare to host the ICC World Cricket League Division Three next month.
There were several pointers to pick and Uganda will not only hope to wrap up the Series but also seek finer details with bat and ball in Game Four at Lugogo today.
“We haven’t played the perfect game yet. We feel we have some areas to correct. So we’ll relax a bit and come out improve,” Karashani stressed.
Kenyan legend Tikolo will want to see more partnerships like the rare steady opening 51-run stand between Arthur Kyobe (30 off 41) and Hamu Kayondo (30 off 63) as well as the 74-run recovery combo between Deus Muhumuza (30 off 45) and Emmanuel Isaneez (33 off 52).
With Arnold Otwan (lost his mother) and Lawrence Ssematimba (groin), and Frank Nsubuga (hamstring) the latest casualty, their voids must be properly be filled.
Game Three had a team slump from 51-1 in midway the 12th over to 91-5 after 23 overs, a clear indication of a broken bridge between the top and middle order.
While the art of death bowling was duly tested, Karashani and company ought to avoid giving away cheap runs in the field, something Tikolo echoed after Game One last Friday.
On the other hand, Kenya will hope to step on the gears and make a difference.
“We have to improve on our batting,” noted veteran Collins Obuya, who leads the Series batting charts with 108 runs from three innings.
After Obuya (50 off 54) and Dhiren Gondaria (56 off 52) combined for an 83-run third wicket combo, Kenya needed 87 runs off 173 deliveries to win but they lost seven wickets in a rather fast and furious mode.
“Rather than going for big scores, we must rotate the strike and bat all the 50 Overs. My teammates should apply themselves better and stick to the basics.” Obuya urged.
By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE & INNOCENT NDAWULA
Steely bowling gives Cricket Cranes 2-0 lead in Easter Series
Team Uganda needed a touch of class with the ball to defeat Kenya by 27 runs and take a 2-0 lead in the Easter Cricket Series at Lugogo Oval yesterday.
Defending their score of 199, the Cricket Cranes bowled out Kenya with 57 balls to spare, leaving the visitors in a desperate state with two matches left to wrap up the Series.
"We are delighted with this win," said skipper Davis Karashani. "We showed a lot of character to claw back into this game. Kyobe (Arthur) showed maturity and awareness with that catch to dismiss Collins (Obuya).
And the slow bowling department rose to the occassion to pile on the pressure and strangle the Kenyan batting. We have to continue improving though."
Opting to bat first, Uganda had a unique brilliant start with openers Arthur Kyobe (30 off 41) and Hamu Kayondo (30 off 63) putting on 51 runs for the first wicket in 11.3 overs.
Then Steve Tikolo's charges folded superfast to 91-5 by the end of the 23rd over with Shem Ngoche (2/25) and Nelson Odhiambo (2/38) doing the damage.
However, the Cranes were back in the frame when Deus Muhumuza (30 off 45) and Emmanuel Isaneez (33 off ) put up 74 runs for the sixth wicket to help Uganda set 199 in overs.
Kenya had a shaky start to the chase, losing Kaul Karan and Gurdeep Singh for 30 runs in the opening 5.1 overs.
Then, two half-centuries from experienced lad Collins Obuya (50 off 54) and promising U-19 graduate Dhiren Gondaria (56 off 52) who combined for an 83-run third wicket combo got Kenya within victory range.
But all crumbled when Kyobe threw the ball in the air for 12th man Brian Masaba, in for injured Frank Nsubuga, to catch Gondaria inside the circle.
"It was an easy score to chase but we lost cheaply," Gondaria told Daily Monitor in a post-match interview. "I played a silly shot which cost us the match," the 22-year-old said.
Then skipper Davis Karashani (3/30) turned on the mojo to unscrew the wheels off the Kenyan ship, putting a cusp to Kenya losing seven wickets in a fast and furios mode when they needed 87 runs to win off 173 deliveries.
"My teammates did not apply themselves," Obuya noted. "We need to do better in the remaining two matches."
Notwithstanding dropped catches, Karashani rotated his bowlers and Roger Mukasa (2/3), who relinquished the wicketkeeping gloves to swing the match into his country's favour with two maiden overs including a wicket-maiden in his match-winning four-over spell.
EASTER CRICKET SERIES
GAME THREE RESULT
Uganda 199/10 Kenya 172/10
(Uganda won by 27 runs)
By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Cricket Cranes crave for 2-0 lead in Easter Series
Cricket Cranes coach Steve Tikolo was vastly impressed with his side’s opening five-wicket win over visitors Kenya in the Easter Series at Kyambogo Oval on Friday.
“It was a good team performance,” Tikolo told journalists shortly after the match at the University Oval in Kyambogo.
“Our bowlers stuck to the team strategy. The seamers were backed up well by the spinners. We had a good team performance in the field.”
With Kenya captain Shem Ngoche opting to bat first, the visitors struggled on what was referred to as a tough wicket by both gaffers and were bundled out for 147 runs in 44.3 overs. Uganda reached the target in 37.5 overs hence with 73 balls to spare.
Despite the good start in their build-up series for for next month’s ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament, Tikolo hopes his troops can tighten the noose in the second rubber of the five-match East African derby games at Kyambogo today.
“We dropped two catches and missed one run-out,” Tikolo said about the Friday game.
“So we need to tighten up because at the highest level, once you give a team a chance, you’re punished.
I would like to see the guys go on to win this series.” added the man regarded as the best Kenyan cricket player ever.
Either way, half a loaf is better than no bread. On Friday, Tikolo cut a relaxed pose when Rushab Patel (8 off 20) was trapped by Frank Nsubuga (2/24) for lbw, leaving Kenya at 38-2 after 14 overs.
It got worse when the mid-order collapsed from 53-3 to 82-7 as chinaman Henry Ssenyondo (4/36) rain riot.
Nelson Odhiambo stood out with two boundaries and a six to top-score with 61-ball 38 to add to opener Irfam Karim’s hard-fought 24 off 78, helping Kenya to a bit a reasonable total.
“We didn’t pitch up. We did not apply ourselves the way were supposed to do,” Kenya’s coach Thomas Odoyo stated. “Uganda looked really sharp in the field and even with the batting,” he acknowledged.
Uganda began the chase with opener Hamu Kayondo making 23 off 40 before he was trapped by Odhiambo (1/8) to leave the score at 60-3 midway the 15th over. And it needed some batting maturity to restore parity.
A composed Roger Mukasa (29 off 66) led the recovery when he combined with Kamal Shahzad (19 off 37) for a 45-run fourth-wicket combo.
Then Brian Masaba (13* off 19) and skipper Davis Karashani (23* off 33) crossed the line, the latter giving the 250 fans a perfect finish with a big six to the top of the clubhouse.
“We have to quickly forget it (defeat) as we want to do better.” Odoyo added.
“I would like to see the guys go on to win this series,” added the Kenyan legend. Either way, half a loaf is better than no bread.
On Friday, Tikolo was a relaxed man Rushab Patel (8 off 20) was trapped by Frank Nsubuga (2/24) for LBW, leaving Kenya at 38-2 after 14 overs. It got worse when the mid-order collapsed from 53-3 to 82-7 as left arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo (4/36) skittled through the Kenyans batting line-up.
Nelson Odhiambo stood out with two boundaries and a six to top-score with 61-ball 38 to add to opener Irfam Karim’s hard-fought 24 off 78, helping Kenya go past three figures. “We didn’t pitch up. We did not apply ourselves the way were supposed to do,” Kenya’s coach Thomas Odoyo stated.
“Uganda looked really sharp in the field and even with the batting,” he acknowledged.
Uganda began the chase with opener Hamu Kayondo making 23 off 40 before he was trapped LBW by Odhiambo (1/8) to leave the score at 60 for 3 midway the 15th over. And it needed some batting maturity to restore parity.
Roger Mukasa (29 off 66) led the recovery when he combined with Kamal Shahzad (19 off 37) for a 45-run fourth-wicket combo.
Then Brian Masaba (13* off 19) and skipper Davis Karashani (23* off 33) crossed the line, the latter giving the 250 fans a perfect climax with a mighty heave that landed infront of the clubhouse.
“We have to quickly forget it (defeat) and look to do better on Sunday (today).” Odoyo added.Tikolo demands more from Cranes
EASTER CRICKET SERIES
TODAY AT 10AM
Uganda vs. Kenya, Kyambogo
FRIDAY RESULT
Kenya 147/10 Uganda 148/5
(Uganda won by five wickets)
By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Kenya itching to renew rivalry with old enemy Cricket Cranes
Thomas Odoyo, Kenya’s coach, says it will be ‘business as usual’ when he leads his star-studded side in a five-match Limited Overs Easter Series against the Cricket ‘Cranes starting tomorrow.
The Kenya Simbas jet into the country aboard RwandAir this evening and Odoyo says his men will be bustling when the sun comes out for their series opener against the hosts at Kyambogo Oval on Good Friday.
“We have answered our brothers’ call,” said Odoyo, in a telephone interview with this paper after his team’s workout at Ruaraka Oval in Nairobi. “Uganda have an important tournament coming up next month and they wanted a strong team that will give them good preparation.
“Everyone is in and they should expect a good contest. For us, it is going to be business as usual.”
Uganda CEO Justine Ligyalingi wrote to Cricket Kenya (CK) requesting them to retain the squad that played against Nepal in the ICC World Cricket League Championship matches last month. And CK have duly obliged with an aim of helping their ‘younger brother’ Uganda get ample preparation ahead of the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament which the latter will host next month (May 23-31).
The last time Kenya played Uganda in September, Uganda carried the day with a two-wicket win at the Nairobi Jaffrey’s Academy Oval in the same format (50 overs) that will be played over the entire series. The Cricket Cranes opposition for the two slots at stake, to earn promotion to the coveted Division II, include United States of America, Oman, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia.
Uganda have been quietly under-going non-residential training under the tutelage of Kenyan tactician Steve Tikolo at Lugogo and Kyambogo Oval, and will be itching to show their ‘old enemy and big brother’ that they are a much improved outfit from their last meeting.
TEAM KENYA
Nelson Odhiambo, Dhiren Gondaria, Pushpak Kerai (Kanbis), Shem Obado, Collins Obuya (Stray Lions), Nehemiah Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Alex Obanda (Swamibapa), Karan Kaul, Lucas Oluoch, RushabhVadrhan Patel (Nairobi Gymkhana), Gurdeep Singh (Nairobi Sikh Union) Eugene Ochieng (Kongonis) and Irfan Karim (unattached).
Coach: Thomas Odoyo Assistant Coach: Peter Ongondo Physio: Moses Ndungu Batting Coach: Maurice Odumbe
EASTER SERIES ITINERARY
LIMITED OVERS (50) CONTESTS
Today: Kenya arrives
April 14: Match vs Kenya
April 15: Practice/Rest day
April 16: Match vs Kenya
April 17: Match vs Kenya
April 18: Practice/Rest day
April 19: Match vs Kenya
April 20: Match vs Kenya
April 21: Kenya departs
By INNOCENT NDAUWLA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
UCA ‘empower’ 40 girls’ schools with kit
With over 30 schools currently taking part in the Girls’ Schools Cricket Week Qualifiers, Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) have boosted further their preparations ahead of the tourney.
UCA Development Manager Henry Okecho and Operations Manager Martin Ondeko literally empowered 40 girls’ schools by giving them brand new cricket equipment sets to each.
“We encourage you not to misuse the equipment. We want you to use it well to enhance the skills of your students so that they can be able to compete better,” said Okecho, who also thanked Bankstown Cricket Club in Australia for continuing to give UCA good equipment for 13 years to-date, during the hand over at Lugogo.
Each of the schools that was represented by their games and cricket masters received four pairs of batting pads, four pairs of batting gloves, six helmets, four thigh guards, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and one pair of wicket-keeping pads. The best 12 schools from the qualifiers will take part in the Girls Cricket Week from April 29 to May 4.
THE BENEFICIARIES
Kololo, Gayaza High, K. C Budo, Ndejje, Seeta High, Mukono Parents, Kyambogo College,City High, Nalinya Lwantale, Green Hill Academy, St Lawrence Sonde, Masaka, Bwala, Kako, Blessed Sacrament, Exodus, St Gerald, Lords Meade, Jinja SSS, Busoga High, St James, Good Heart, Busedde, Pmm Girls, Honest Hill, Olila High, Halcony High, Soroti Mun, Light SSS, Kyebambe, Nyakasura School, Kasese SSS, Kilembe SSS, Mt Rwenzori, St Theresa, Mt Rwenzori, Bwera SSS, Mutwanyana High, Rock High, Tororo Town College.
By INNOCENT NDAWULA
Bowling brothers lead KICC, Tornado Bee through
On a day that had several batsmen feeble, siblings Frank Nsubuga and Roger Mukasa stood with superb bowling spells to guide their respective sides KICC and Tornado Bee through in the Jazz Safari National League on Sunday.
There was no much afternoon action for many to catch as Nsubuga took parsimonious figures of 7/17 to guide KICC to a seven-wicket win over Nile, their first victory of the season at Lugogo Oval.
Veteran Nsubuga’s moment of brilliance involving three maidens in 9.4 overs had Nile wither from 42-2 to 48-9 over a span of just seven overs. “I just did the basic things,” Nsubuga would later say.
Not even Nile’s opener Martin Ondeko survived that wrath. He however, top-scored with 29 runs off 57 balls as his side set 61 runs in 26.4 overs.
Kenyan Gurdeep Singh (16 off 9), Arthur Ziraba (21* off 24) and Siraj Nsubuga (18* off 18) met the target after 10.1 overs.
Nsubuga’s sibling Mukasa covered up for his duck with figures of 5/28 as Tornado Bee made it four in four with a 14-run win over Kutchi Tigers at the lake side oval in Kyambogo.
Off-colour batting had Francis Othieno (29 off 60) and Deus Muhumuza (29 off 51) help Tornado Bee meander Kenyan imports Hiren Varaiya (3/9) and Shem Ngoche (2/25) to set 133 in 49.5 overs.
But Mukasa stood out with some ruthless bowling that had Tigers stutter from 66-3 to 78-6 and despite Bharat Ghodadra making 40 off 83, they fell short.
It means Tornado Bee moved 22 points, two points behind leaders Aziz Damani who chased Patidar Samaj’s score of 37 runs in 21 balls in Kyambogo.
Damani bowlers Kenneth Waiswa (4/9) and Fahad Sadiq (3/4) had done the harder part before Arnold Otwan (21 off 10) sealed the win.
JAZZ SAFARI NATIONAL LEAGUE
WEEKEND RESULTS
DIVISION ONE
Nile 61/10 KICC 65/3
(KICC won by 7 wickets)
Patidar Samaj 37/10 Aziz Damani 40/1
(Damani won by 9 wickets)
By Allan Darren Kyeyune
Tornado Bee 133/10 Kutchi Tigers 119/10
(Tornado Bee won by 14 runs)
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ICC Award thrills cricket body
Even with the Cricket Cranes stuttering in recent years, Ugandan cricket has always achieved on the international front.
For the fourth year running, the sport received global recognition as Uganda Cricket Association scooped the Spirit of Cricket Award at the ICC Development Programme Awards 2016 earlier this week.
“The Uganda Cricket Association partnered with Mehta Co. (SCOUL) to use cricket as a vehicle to communicate vital messages to young people on World Hearts Day,” read part of a congratulatory message announced by ICC Head of Global Development William Glenwright.
“Awarded the Spirit of Cricket Award, free health checks and counselling were offered to over 500 participants and members of the community; alongside a day of cricket at the Mehta Cricket Ground,” it continued.
The honor worth $2,000 (Shs7.2m) left UCA thrilled.
“We are delighted to bring another award home,” said UCA Development Officer Grace Mutyagaba.
Mutyagaba was in charge of the award winning event that attracted youngsters from 13 schools on September 29 at Mehta grounds in Lugazi.
“We used to have the tournament on World AIDS Day (December 1) but we changed last year. It gives joy to see some of our efforts internationally recognised,” Mutyagaba added.
By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Tornado Bee, Damani win
Match Day Four of the Jazz Safari National League maintained the status quo across the different camps of the Division One outfits on Sunday.
Holders Tornado Bee continued their decent start in pursuit of a fifth straight title with another routine eight-wicket victory over Patidar Samaj in Kyambogo.
Similarly, Aziz Damani CEO Siva Koti was over the moon and treated his team to merrymaking at Lugogo Oval after beating KICC by seven wickets.
And the soul searching continued in the Charity Trust Fund camp after losing a third consecutive match by 79 runs at the hands of Challengers in Entebbe.
Tornado Bee and Damani’s victories seemed to shape the title race early as each has three successive wins albeit the former beating the latter in the season opener by four-wickets on March 12 in Lugogo.
“Losing to Tornado Bee was an eye opener for us,” Damani’s Kenneth Waiswa stated as the team cooled off with their WAGS. “We are more focused since and our target to win all remaining three first round matches,” he said.
However, Damani kept top with 19 points from four matches thanks to Fahad Sadiq bowling. After medium pacer Waiswa (2/32) shot down front tyres Zephania Arinaitwe (21 off 10) and Kenyan Abdul Rehman (15 off 17) to leave them 44-2 in 7.1 overs, Sadiq crushed KICC’s hind wheels.
Dennis Tabby trapped Gurdeep Singh (32-run-a-ball) then off-spinner Sadiq broke down the middle-order from 84-3 to 94-6 over a span of 12 balls. KICC's worn-out truck packed with 141 in 27.5 overs.
“Our middle order gave in easily,” KICC’s Frank Nsubuga would later say.
Despite Davis Karashani's fight (3/22 and a maiden in eight overs) with the ball, Steve Tikolo (25* off 37), Brian Masaba (27* off 46) and Arnold Otwan (45 off 57) responded well with a combined 10 boundaries and seven sixes to guide Damani home.
Like Sadiq, Tornado Bee spinner John Mpande took figures of 5/40 while Deus Muhumuza got 4/16 and two maidens to bowl out naïve Patidar for 75 runs in 23.5 overs. Akbar Baig made 29 off 30 as Tornado Bee cruised home within 12 overs in about 40 minutes.
By Darren Allan Kyeyune & Innocent Ndawula
Women Provisional Training Squad 2017
