Senior side to offer Baby Cricket Cranes final test
Uganda cricket has consistently taken the stick since the nation suffered shock relegation to the ICC World Cricket League Division Three last month.
The interest for the gentleman’s game is not as huge as it was before May 23 on and off the oval.
And the tiring mental constructs will take a while to fade away, more evidenced by low batting totals in recent Jazz Safari National League ties.
The current senior men’s team generation has hinged on the class that partook at the 2004 and 2006 ICC U-19 World Cup tourneys.
The inevitable feeling is to have new blood take up the spots.
The nation has a chance to forget the misery should the current U-19 side beat the odds and qualify for next year’s ICC Youth 50-Over World Cup in New Zealand.
Unlike before, the Baby Cricket Cranes must finish top ahead of Kenya, Botswana and Ghana at the regional qualifier in Nairobi.
“This team bats deep and that should do the jugular for us,” team’s coach Francis Otieno told Daily Monitor following a series of training sessions at Lugogo.
Squad cut in size
Otieno and assistant Jackson Ogwang trimmed their squad from 25 to 14 while dropping familiar names like Joseph Byaruhanga, John Gabula, Ronald Kinene, Juma Miyagi and Collins Okwalinga.
Aziz Damani’s Kenneth Waiswa, who was dropped for the ICC WCL, is skipper and knows what’s at stake. “If we qualify for the World Cup, we can change the face of Ugandan cricket like it happened in 2006,” said the promising medium pacer.
Waiswa will be deputized by Zephania Arinaitwe and the pair has two trial matches against their seniors tomorrow and on Saturday at Lugogo Oval. “Giving Arinaitwe means he must play with responsibility.” Otieno reasoned.
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By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE & INNOCENT NDAWULA
Ugandan sides could face off
In the aftermath of the Cricket Cranes debacle when they got relegated from the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division III to IV a fortnight ago, the healing process is gradually continuing for the Ugandan cricket fraternity.
And the displays of the two Ugandan women franchises (U-19 Women & U-23 Women) at the ongoing Kwibuka Cricket For Peace T20 Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda could go a long way in ensuring there isn’t any more salt rubbed onto those (sinking feeling) wounds.
The Uganda Schools Combined XI (named U-19s by the event organisers) is the talk of the tournament after they turned on the style to notch the first upset of the meet – a one-wicket win over overwhelming favourites Kenya on Friday.
The student-packed side pulled off a stiff chase off 107 set by the full-strength Kenyan side with four balls remaining. Despite a terrific mid-order collapse, the quartet of Masaka SS’ Immaculate Nakisuyi (32 off 30), Kololo SS’ Hope Wanichan (17* off 15), Jinja SS’ Stephanie Nampiina (15 off 22) and captain Rita Musamali (12 off 14) ensured there was little left for the tail-enders as the Ugandan youngsters notched a famous win. Earlier on Thursday, the U-19s had made light work of the Rwanda National Women side when they chased down a set target of 52 with six wickets in hand and 60 balls remaining.
One win apiece
Their seniors - the U-23 Women side – despite being short of practice have also made a good account of themselves. They went down to Kenya on Day One by five wickets but recovered in spectacular with a clinical 31-run over Rwanda.
Mary Nalule, who led the batting charts by press time with unbeaten scores of 29 and 21, has been their star thus far. And after spending at least a year in the cold, the 2012 Nile Special/Uspa Female Cricketer of the Year will certainly force the hand of the selectors with the team preparing for the ICC Africa Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Namibia later in September. The two Ugandan sides could face off in the final at Kicukiro Oval, but only if Rwanda claims a big scalp by upsetting regional powerhouse Kenya, who also have just one win, again. The two Ugandan sides were facing off each other in a virtual semifinal by press time.
KWIBUKA CRICKET FOR PEACE T20 TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY RESULTS
Rwanda 52/6 Uganda U-19s 53/4
(Uganda U-19s won by 6 wickets)
Uganda U-23s 78/5 Kenya 79/5
(Kenya won by 5 wickets)
FRIDAY RESULTS
Kenya 107/5 Uganda U-19s 108/9
(Uganda U-19s won by 1 wicket)
Uganda U-23s 106/6 Rwanda 75/4
(Uganda U-23s won by 31 runs)
By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNEA
Press Release for the U23 National Team & the Combine Schools Select XI
Uganda starts T2O WC preps in Kigali
Ugandan cricket may be down but not entirely out. It is still a bitter pill to swallow that the Cricket Cranes got relegated to the unfamiliar ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Four on home soil a week ago.
But Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) can still save face via the ladies’ front.
In September, this East African nation will be one of the five participants when Namibia hosts the ICC Africa Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers.
The development was announced at the weekend and UCA has already rolled out a plan for the big continental meet.
Yesterday, two teams; the U-23s and the Girls Cricket Week Select sides were named to represent Uganda at the annual Kwibuka Women’s T20 Peace Cup slated for Rwanda capital Kigali this weekend.
Yusuf Nanga, who guided Masaka SS to second place at the Cricket Week and Soroti Academy tutor Ivan Kakande are tasked to guide the sides respectively when they grace the four-team competition comprising Kenya and Rwanda national teams.
“This is not a normal tournament for us (Uganda) like in previous years,” Nanga told Daily Monitor before the teams left for Kigali last evening. “We expect tough cricket from Kenya and Rwanda to shape our girls,” the U-23s’ coach said.
Rightly so. Notwithstanding Pioneer Cricket Club’s Easter trip to Kigali, this competition is perhaps the biggest engagement lady cricketers are having since the start of the year.
The start of the National Women’s League was been delayed by the just concluded ICC WCL Division Three here last month.
“The plan is to have the girls play wholeheartedly as we prepare for Namibia. The statistics from here will be used by the selectors to choose the best players for the August trials in Nairobi before Windhoek.” Nanga added. Nanga, also a player with Africa Cricket Club, has six of his 14 players from defending champions Tornado Bee including captain Gertrude Candiru, Racheal Ntono, Mary Nalule, Rashida Kalsum, Saidat Kemigisha and wicket-keeper Patricia Munguryek.
Meanwhile, his students from Masaka SS including Janet Baluka, Teddy Ayella and Immaculate Nakisuyi made the cut to Kakande’s Cricket Week Select team. Champions Jinja SS only have captain Stephanie Nampiina and Rita Musamali in the side. The tournament starts on tomorrow at the Kicukiro Oval, Kigali.
U23 LADIES
Gertrude Candiru (Captain), Racheal Ntono, Patricia Munguryek, Kevin Awino, Mary Nalule, Jennifer Nabwana, Janet Mbabazi, Rashida Kalsum, Martha Akello, Saidat Kemigisha, Irene Alumo, Dalphine Namubiru, Claire Mushakamba, Christian Tumusiime
COACH: Yusuf Nanga,
MANAGER: Naome Kayondo
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Mehta Group boosts Cricket Cranes
Cricket Cranes’ bid to lift the ICC World Cricket League Division Three trophy received a shot in the arm following the unveiling, by Mehta Group, of a sponsorship package worth Shs45 million.
The deal, signed at the weekend in Lugazi, will cater for among others players’ allowances, team bonuses and team kit for the upcoming six-team showpiece scheduled to bowl off next Tuesday (May 23).
According to Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO Justine Ligyalingi, the partnership with Mehta began in 2012 and is only being revived.
“Mehta has been supporting cricket activities in the country with sponsorship to teams such as Nile Knights in the East African Premier League as well as the Women’s T20 League.
“Today, however, is special and we would like to thank Mehta for the financial support towards the men’s team for this upcoming event,” Ligyalingi said after appending his signature to the deal along with UCA chairman Bashir Ansasiira and Mehta Group CEO Anil Shah.
Although the deal will cater for the men’s national team, Shah promised to extend financial help to the ladies’ team as well.
“Our commitment towards cricket development is unquestionable. This is just the beginning. Next will be the ladies,” Shah said, before urging the players to give their all during the 10-day event.
Uganda open their campaign against Canada at Lugogo Oval on May 23 and team captain Davis Karashani believes they have got what it takes to move a division up.
“The mood in the camp is positive. We have a great physio (Habiba) and she is working hard to ensure all the niggles are gone ahead of our opener. The squad is also littered with players of quality and I am positive they will make the country proud,” Karashani said.
Oman is expected to be the first country to jet in on Thursday with the rest USA, Canada, Oman, Malaysia and Singapore arriving on Saturday and Sunday. UCA will unveil the new team jersey tomorrow.
ICC WCL DIV III
UGANDA’S FIXTURES
May 23: Uganda vs. Canada - Lugogo Oval
May 24: Uganda vs. Singapore -Entebbe Oval
May 26: Uganda vs. Oman -Kyambogo Oval
May 27: Ugandavs. Malaysia - Lugogo Oval
May 29: Uganda vs.USA - Entebbe Oval
By CAESAR ABANGIRAH
Olila dominate awards, Jinja defiant
Habibu Mugalula, the Cricket Master of Jinja Senior Secondary School, taunted the rivaling schools that ‘we are here to stay’ in the aftermath of his school’s tense five-wicket win over Masaka Secondary School in the final of the UCA Girls Cricket Week at Lugogo Oval on Wednesday.
Jinja SSS hit new highs by winning a record sixth title at the tournament’s 16th edition but none of his players stepped onto the podium to collect an individual prize.
Mugalula, though, refused to buckle when journalists asked whether his school was becoming a waning powerhouse.
“If you look at all those other schools, they have players that I personally nurtured,” said Mugalula, a bowling all-rounder in his heyday. “They have no culture. They pick players from everywhere and then boast that they’re improving.”
But as Mugalula took a dig at the chasing pack, Johnny-come-latelys Olila High School could afford to sit back, relax and smile after they dominated the annual showpiece using their home-bred talent.
The Olila trio of towering Mildred Anyigo with 66 runs was the best batter, captain Joyce Mary Apio (with 13 wickets) was the best bowler whereas Esther Iloku stood our as the best wicketkeeper with four dismissals.
“It is a bad thing for us not to have made it to the final. But we have showed that we have quality littered across all departments in our side. People have seen what we can do and I am certain we will be back stronger next year,” said coach Ivan Kakande, who was flanked by Soroti Cricket Academy patron Felix Musana, a man who takes the credit for giving birth to the gentleman’s game in that region.
For Masaka SS, who lost in their first appearance in the final after four editions in the national competition, their consolation was having Most Valuable Player (MVP) Immaculate Nakisuyi in their ranks.
The Lady Cricket Cranes star was in her own class with 138 runs and six wickets.
UCA Girls Cricket Week
Individual Award Winners
Player of Series:
Immaculate Nakisuyi (138 runs & 6 wickets, Masaka SS)
Best Batter:
Mildred Anyigo (66 runs, Olila HS)
Best Bowler:
Joyce Mary Apio (13 wickets, Olila HS)
Best Fielder:
Ssanyu Nabagala (5 dismissals, Gayaza HS)
Best Wicketkeeper:
Esther Iloku (4 dismissals, Olila HS)
By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Tikolo pleased with avalanche of match winners in Cricket Cranes squad
There were a few murmurs arising from coach Steve Tikolo’s final 14-man side that will represent hosts Uganda at the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament from May 23-31.
Tikolo admitted the difficulty in sieving out the required numbers from a pool of 20. Of course, he had worked with nearly 40 players over the past eight months in a bid to find the perfect blend ahead of the nation’s first international engagement in 20 months.
The recent 4-0 whitewash over Kenya in the Easter Series left not only fans but also Tikolo a rather more pleased figure. “Our cricket has grown in leaps and bounds in the last eight months,” he noted.
The Kenyan legend stated the team’s greatest positive from the Series has been in strengthening the depth of the squad. “We played as a unit. It was not a one-man show,” Tikolo said while highlighting the variety of match winners against the eastern neighbours.
“Whichever player is asked to go out and do the job for the team, they put their hands. Previously, we used to depend on one or two players (Roger Mukasa and Arthur Kyobe) in the batting department. Right now, we have about six or seven players we can depend on.”
Tikolo is vindicated by the figures as Kamal Shahzad has grown to maintain a slot in the top order as backed up by his 107 runs off 114 balls in 4 innings against Kenya.
“Before we used to depend on Davis (Karashani), Frank (Nsubuga) and Charles Waiswa in the bowling department but that has changed too. There is good competition in the team so it ensures the guys will not sit on their laurels and think they have automatic slots.” Tikolo added.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Henry Ssenyondo (7/79 & 2 maidens in 23 overs) and right-arm medium pacer Jonathan Ssebanja (5/83 & 19.3 overs) got bigger dividends than the trio in four matches against Kenya.
The final selection
Team Uganda
Davis Karashani (captain), Brian Masaba (vice-captain), Arthur Kyobe, Hamu Kayondo, Roger Mukasa, Arnold Otwani, Kamal Shahzad, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Charles Waiswa, Deus Muhumuza, Jonathan Ssebanja, Irfan Sahibzada and Lawrence Ssematimba
Reserves
Naeem Bardai, Lloyd Paternott, Emmanuel Isaneez and David Wabwire
Best bastmen
East cricket series statistics
Roger Mukasa (111 off 140 in 4 innings)
Kamal Shahzad (107 off 114 in 4)
Arthur Kyobe (84 off 96 in 4)
Hamu Kayondo (74 off 129 in 4)
Emmanuel Isaneez (56 off 88 in 2)
Deus Muhumuza (53 off 64 in 2)
Derrick Bakunzi (49 off 69 in 1)
Best bowlers
East cricket series statistics
Henry Ssenyondo
(7/79 & 2 maidens in 23 overs)
Jonathan Ssebanja
(5/83 & 19.3 overs)
Davis Karashani
(4/95 & 3 maidens in 29 overs)
Deus Muhumuza
(3/27) in 7.4 overs)
David Wabwire
(3/70 in 10 overs)
Roger Mukasa
(2/3 & 2 maidens in 4 overs)
Frank Nsubuga
(2/39 & 3 maidens in 14 overs)
By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Press Release for Un Veiling the Cricket Cranes
Pindoriya ton guides Kutchi Tigers past Patidar Samaj
Two batsmen Lloyd Paternott and Nanji Pindoriya carried the day as the Jazz Safari National League returned following a two-week break.
First, Pindoriya showed signs ‘old is gold’ when he struck the season’s second century of 103* runs off 122 balls to guide Kutchi Tigers to a 163-run victory over Patidar Samaj at Lugogo Oval.
“It was wonderful,” the 36-year-old told this paper. “I wanted to bat all the 50 overs but sadly, the rain came into the picture,” Pindoriya said.
The left-hander, who once played with Indian batsman Suresh Raina, made eight boundaries and a six he guided Tigers to a total of 304-3 in 45 overs.
The target for 2011 champions Patidar was revised via the Duckworth & Lewis Method (D/L) to 318 in 42 overs by umpires Paul Okecho and James Bamulese.
But only a small matter of Gaurang Patel’s batting (41 off 49) worried Tigers who made it two wins in four matches.
At the University Oval in Kyambogo, title holders Tornado Bee made it five wins in five after beating Charity Trust Fund by 163 runs thanks to Lloyd Paternott’s reactionary half-ton.
Having scored a duck off on his Cricket Cranes’ debut - Game Five of the Easter Series against Kenya on Thursday - Paternott, born in Uganda and raised in England, gave Charity bowlers lots of work to do as he made 66 runs off 100 balls on his league debut.
He made eight fours and shared 43 runs for the fourth wicket with Roger Mukasa (43 off 58) as Tornado Bee set 139-4 in 40 overs, later revised to 180.
Any ideas of meeting the required total for Charity were quashed by Cyrus Kibuukamusoke who enjoyed a fine bowling spell of 5/26 in eight overs.
Only Varinder Singh (28 off 41) stood out as Charity a suffered a fourth successive defeat.
“We are taking one game at a time,” Tornado Bee captain Jeremy Kibuukamusoke said of the team’s run.
JAZZ SAFARI NATIONAL LEAGUE
WEEKEND RESULTS
DIVISION ONE
Kutchi Tigers 304/3 [318] Patidar Samaj 154/10
(Kutchi Tigers won 163 runs via DL)
Tornado Bee 139/4 [180] Charity TF 100/10
(Tornado Bee won by 79 via D/L)
DIVISION TWO
SKLPS 93/10 Premier 94/8
(Premier won by 2 wickets)
ACC vs. Strikers
(Match washed out in Budo)
Mwiri 188/10 JACC 99/10
(Mwiri won by 89 runs)
By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE & INNOCENT NDAWULA
It’s all systems go
In 2014, Uganda won the right to host the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Three event but later lost the honours to Malaysia on grounds of insecurity.
If there were any inklings of doubt that some changes would still arise, they well were buried after Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) officially launched the 2017 ICC WCL Division Three showpiece on Friday. “We are pleased to host the world,” UCA Chairman Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasira, flanked by Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Paul Kaheru and Tournament Director Justine Ligyalingi, said in front of a full house at Copper Chimney Restaurant in Lugogo.
This event will take place from May 23-31 at Lugogo, Kyambogo and Entebbe ovals as Uganda and five other nations compete for two promotion slots to Division Two.
“Our team is very well motivated. We have stayed too long in Division Three. We can do better. I urge the Ugandans to turn up in large numbers to support their team and also catch a glimpse of priceless action at no cost,” added Ansasira. Kaheru announced his 12-man committee that includes Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of General Duties Andrew Sorowen, who is responsible for security.
Other notable names are Martin Ondeko (transport), Innocent Ndawula (media and communications), Rita Tinka (catering), Dr. David Meya (medical), Eric Kamara (liaison), Alvin Bagaya (accommodation) and Kenneth Mulondo for accreditation.
Significant steps
Clearly, it is all systems go as UCA has taken significant steps in organising the grounds as well as tightening the security grip ahead of the six-nation tournament.
“The grounds are playing much better and we received plaudits from Team Kenya in the just-concluded Easter Series,” noted Hanumant Katkar, LOC member in charge of the grounds.
“We have been tested by the weather but our grounds men are showing resolve that we can deliver the best grounds and wickets in the history of WCL.”
There was further assurance on security in Sorowen’s absence.
“We had lessons to learn in 2015,” UCA CEO Ligyalingi told this paper.
“This time, we have worked with the higher levels like the office of the IGP, Ministry of Education and Sports and the Office of the First Lady. There have been joint meetings with resolutions approved by ICC for security at the hotels, grounds and the routes to the venues.”
Bagaya revealed that Hotel Africana is the official teams’ hotel.
And in a bid to foot the Shs1b budget for the tournament, UCA has sought external financial support.
“We have gone out with a strong campaign seeking for local partners and government to assist us as we need about Shs700m for local preparations and requirements minus the national team bill.” Ligyalingi added.
THE UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
April 29 - May 7: Saudi Arabia Tour
May 23 - 31 2017: ICC WCL Division III
2017 ICC WORLD CRICKET LEAGUE - DIVISION III
PARTICIPATING NATIONS
Uganda: 5th 2015 ICC WCL Division Two
Canada: 6th 2015 ICC WCL Division Two
Malaysia: 3rd 2014 ICC WCL Division Three
Singapore: 4th 2014 ICC WCL Division Three
USA: 1st 2016 ICC WCL Division Four
Oman: 2nd 2016 ICC WCL Division Four
By DARREN A. KYEYUNE & MAKHTUM MUZIRANSA
