Mbazzi Opts Out

By Ronnie KintuUGANDA’s top batsmen Tendo Mbazzi, Sseruga Solomon and Benjamin Musoke will not be part of the national squad to tour Zambia for the Africa Cricket Cup championships next week. The event runs from August 31 to September 8.National team manager Robert Kisubi said that the trio requested to stay back because of their busy academic schedules.Mbazzi, Musoke and Sseruga have been a force to reckon with and their absence will create a vacuum in the squad.“It is wrong timing and hence very difficult to halt our academic programmes,” remarked Sseruga, also captain for Tornado Cricket Club.Mbazzi and Musoke were part of the squad that travelled to Canada for the Mini World Cup. They both played an important role in leading Uganda to the 10th overall position out of the 24 playing nations.“They are all key players for us but we shall have to see how we can close the gap,” Kisubi said.Meanwhile, John Lubia will stand another test of his career as he captains a select side in the final trials for the national team this Saturday.Lubia, who has more than ten international caps, was re-appointed skipper of the national team for the Zambia event.The squad will be reduced to 14 and will travel for build up matches in Kenya before connecting for the tournament in Lusaka.“We don’t have a problem with fielding and bowling. We are still struggling with the bat,” Lubia told The New Vision.Ends