By Faith Munezero

Match Summary: SG Crescents 179/9 in 40.1 overs (Aryaman Uchil 58 off 45, Aritra Dutta 27 off  30, Charles Waiswa 24 off 53 and 3/22, Roger Mukasa 4/45) beat SG Crimsons 177 all out in 43 overs (Navin Param 70 off 100, Prasheen Param 33 off 61, Tafara Chingwara 4/41, Vinath Baskaran 2/33, Kenneth Waiswa 2/20) by 1 wicket.

The 2019 edition of the Elite Player Series held in Singapore, got off to an exciting start for the crowd and Uganda Cricket team players, Roger Mukasa, Charles Waiswa and Kenneth Waiswa. All three featured in the very first match between SG Crescents (with Roger and Charles) and SG Crimsons (with Kenneth).

The 50 overs game marked the start of a series that features overseas players from Botswana, Oman, Malaysia as well as Uganda. The SG Crimsons won the toss opting to bat. Despite two early wickets, the Param brothers partnership from the eigth over helped steady the ship. Charles Waiswa (3/22 in 8 overs) inspired the Crescents to a great start, getting a wicket in his first over and two crucial wickets, doing really well on a wicket that mostly favored spin. He nearly made three wickets in his fourth over but the wicket came off a no ball after a minor mistep on the crease. He arguably had the best economy of the day, including a brilliant maiden.

Roger Mukasa starred for the Crescents, taking the crease but this time at the bowler's end. Roger's defensive bowling got him the most wickets for the side (4/45 in 10 overs), one of which was the wicket of Prasheen Param (33 off 61), stalled the Param brothers' rebuilding partnersnip of 71 runs. Navin Param went on to make 70 runs off 100 balls, only ome of two people to go past 50 runs that day. Roger's most memorable delivery being an off spin gone wide, luring the batsman out of his crease before he was he was quickly stumped. The SG Crimsons posted 177 all out in 43 overs.

 The SG crescents got off to rapid start, but despite losing two early wickets like their comrades, they speedily piled up the runs going at a run rate 8 runs per over. Mostly due to the extras courtesy of the bowlers. Roger came in at number three but was dismissed for nought after facing four balls. Kenneth Waiswa (2/20 in 7.1 overs) had his share of deliveries, making great use of his pace on the spin friendly wicket just like his namesake, notching two wickets, with a vital one being Aryaman Uchii (58 off 45 balls), the only other player to reach 50 runs. The youngster also left an impression on commentator Chamal De Silva, particularly with his (Kenneth) angled run up reminding him of the great West Indies' player, Malcom Marshall.

Unlike the Crimsons however, the Crescents' wickets fell quicker. At 130/6 in 24 overs, Charles Waiswa took the crease at number seven. Together with Irfan Nasir, the two stablised the quickly falling wickets, staying at the crease before the partnership was broken with Kenneth bowling out Irfan (4 off 31). Charles Waiswa posted 24 off 53 balls before he was finally dismissed by skipper Tafara Chingwara (4/41 in 8 overs) to the utmost joy of the bowler and team. This is especially so because his last wicket was denied having gotten it off a no ball. It was two quick wickets after which Kenneth Waiswa took the very last crucial over; the SG Crescents needed three runs to win while the Crimsons needed just a wicket. However, two runs and a boundary sealed their fate and ended a rather entertaining match.

All three Uganda players were key players for their teams, bringing skill and experience that did not go unnoticed, with Charles Waiswa especially having an all round performance.  Cricket Uganda wishes them an even better time during their stay as they continue to fly the Uganda flag higher in Singapore. You can follow the games including updates, on the Singapore Cricket Association's facebook page.