Uganda beats Kenya to win Africa U-19 cricket title
Dec 09, 2014
Youngster Jane Baluka was the toast of the day as she helped Uganda recover from the loss to Botswana on Monday to down unbeaten Kenya on Tuedsay morning and lift the Africa U-19 title for the third time in a row.
By Norman Katende
Uganda 72/9, Kenya 22
(Uganda wins by 50 runs)
Youngster Jane Baluka was the toast of the day as she helped Uganda recover from the loss to Botswana on Monday to down unbeaten Kenya on Tuedsay morning and lift the Africa U-19 title for the third time in a row.
The 13-year-old Baluka was in form picking four wickets for four runs in the 2.2 overs she bowled against the Kenyan counterparts.
Baluka, who plays for Charity Cricket Club has just completed her Primary Seven at former East Kololo Primary school. Her bowling prowess saw her join the national team to defend the title for the second year-in-a-row.
With Kenya unbeaten in the tournament and with a better run rate of 1.937 as compared to Uganda’s 1.385, Uganda’s only route to the title was to beat Kenya by a good margin forcing captain Janet Mbabazi to call on the services of the youngster, whose attacks have been tight even in the league.
The win saw Uganda’s run rate go to 1.609 as Kenya’s decreased to 1.0500 as both countries finished on the same number of points.
“She is a promising player. One of the good bowlers we have. This is a good experience for her and we believe that she will even fight her way into the national team,” said Franklyn Najjumba, the Women’s Cricket Development officer at Uganda Cricket Association.
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